LAST UPDATE | 26 Sep 2023
FRANCE FORWARDS COACH William Servat said on Tuesday he had “no doubt” that emblematic captain Antoine Dupont could return from injury in time for a potential Rugby World Cup quarter-final next month.
Scrum-half Dupont underwent surgery last week after suffering a fractured cheekbone in Thursday’s victory over Namibia, putting hosts Les Bleus on the verge of the knock-out stages on the weekend of October 14-15.
France’s next game is against Italy on October 7 when a victory would guarantee top spot in Pool A and a last-eight tie, in all likelihood with World Cup holders South Africa.
“The operation went well, he’s resting. He will be back training on Sunday,” Servat told reporters.
“I have no doubt about his ability to play the quarter-final,” the former France hooker added.
Former World Rugby player of the year Dupont, 26, was helped off the pitch in last week’s win over Namibia and has been at home since undergoing surgery on Friday.
Missing Dupont for the knock-out stages of the tournament would be a big blow to France’s chances of lifting the Webb Ellis trophy for the first time.
The Toulouse half-back is yet to lose on home soil as captain of his country, a run dating back 14 Tests.
“Friday and Saturday are days off for us,” Servat said.
“He will have time to return in that period of time,” he added.
Maxime Lucu or Baptiste Couilloud are set to replace Dupont at scrum-half against Italy with the likes of Anthony Jelonch and Charles Ollivon among the contenders to lead the side.
Meanwhile, Namibia’s Johan Deysel has been suspended for at least five matches for the tackle on Antoine Dupont that resulted in the France captain suffering a fractured cheekbone, World Rugby said on Tuesday.
Dupont underwent surgery following the incident in last Thursday’s Rugby World Cup Pool A match and is due to rejoin the squad later this week.
The French have not given up hope the scrum-half can play for them again in the tournament knockout stages.
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