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France captain Antoine Dupont given all clear
By Ian Cameron
France’s iconic skipper Antoine Dupont has been declared fit by his surgeon and France medical staff to play in Les Bleus upcoming Rugby World Cup quarter-final.
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Dupont had surgery to repair a fractured cheekbone sustained a fortnight ago in France’s 96-0 win against Namibia and was immediately in a race against time to the make the knockouts stages of the tournament.
The Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR) confirmed his return this Monday morning in a statement.
“Following his medical visit planned today (Monday) with the surgeon who previously operated on him, Antoine Dupont obtained authorization to resume rugby training today,” explained the FFR.
France had been confident of a quick return for the Toulouse star.
“His physical qualities are impressive,” said France support coach Karim Ghezal on Saturday. “He’s worked hard physically, done a lot of running, a lot of speed work. Those are his strong points. The next step, is the appointment with his surgeon, who will decide. Physically, he hasn’t lost much in the week he’s been off, quite the opposite in fact. Physically, he’s in great shape.”
The fixtures for the quarter-finals of Rugby World Cup 2023 have been confirmed with host nation France playing reigning and three-time champions South Africa and the world’s number-one-ranked side Ireland taking on three-time champions New Zealand at Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
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At Stade de Marseille, Pool C winners Wales will play Argentina after Los Pumas’ crucial victory against Japan in Nantes. At the same venue, Pool D winners England will play Fiji, who are set to compete in the knock-out stages of the Rugby World Cup for the first time since 2007.
I hope he doesn’t explode in a Parisian tunnel
It’s such a pity that the pools were so lobsided.
To think number one plays the all blacks and number two plays France in quarter finals.
Who on earth did the choice of the pools. I guess they just threw all the countries in a hat.
World rugby is run by the British. That’s why England are still there. France, New Zealand,
Ireland and South Africa have the risk of being excluded from the semis. What a joke.
So pleased I didn’t attend these games in person.
Imaging if a spring bok player got injured and had to where a mask, the frenchys or the rugby union would definitely not allow them to play, also, you got to take you’re hat off to Dudont, because he’s playing agains the most physical and best team in the world, I mean like imagine etsibeth running at you with his shoulder staring at you, I’m moving out the way and saying no, and the boks are gonna murder France and DuPont
Let's all agree dupont is world class 🌋
He must be a brave guy to consider standing up to the physical impact that RSA will bring. Perhaps he will “ turn the other cheek”?
Won't make a difference the Boks are going to thump the Frogs in front of a partisan crowd who will sing the Marseilles 20 times in the first half
Good news for France. Even better news for rugby. Get in there Antoine!!!! No not from a Frenchman. Welsh through and through. C'mon Wales next Saturday!?!!!
Good! A WC without such an important player.
Good to see. Go France.
Great news