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Rugby World Cup

France give unbelievable Antoine Dupont fitness update

By PA

27 Sep 2023

France's head coach Fabien Galthie (R) and France's scrum-half Antoine Dupont address media as they attend a team announcement press conference at the Cite du Livre in Aix-en-Provence, southern France on September 19, 2023, two days before the match France vs Namibia as part of the Rugby World Cup 2023 France. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)

France’s coaching staff have “no doubts” injured captain Antoine Dupont will be available to play in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup.

Scrum-half Dupont suffered a facial fracture on Thursday during his country’s 96-0 thrashing of Namibia.

The 26-year-old Toulouse player is due to report for training on Sunday, having undergone successful surgery.

Les Bleus assistant coach William Servat told a press conference on Tuesday: “Antoine is in great order today. The operation went very well, and he is resting.

“He will return for training on Sunday. Friday and Saturday are our rest days, he will have the time to return in this period of time.

“I have no doubts about his ability to play in the quarter-final. I think it is reasonable to say that.”

France top Pool A following three successive victories and have a free weekend ahead of completing their group-stage fixtures on October 6 against Italy in Lyon.

The hosts are likely to face South Africa, Ireland or Scotland in the last eight of the tournament on the weekend of October 14-15 in Paris.

Rugby World Cup

Pool A

BP T

BP-7

Total

France

Italy

New Zealand

Uruguay

Namibia

Pool B

BP T

BP-7

Total

Ireland

South Africa

Scotland

Tonga

Romania

Pool C

BP T

BP-7

Total

Wales

Fiji

Australia

Georgia

Portugal

Pool D

BP T

BP-7

Total

England

Samoa

Japan

Argentina

Chile

LIVE

Comments

2 Comments

ruckaa 416 days ago

playing damaged against the boks thats not a good idea after the game dupont will be able to bite his ear

Brett 417 days ago

The Springboks should have tried to play Am, Pollard and Lood as well.

Selecting 4 scrum halves, no kicker and only one Hooker after Marx is absolutely absurd.

Cannot believe Rassie agrees to this nonsense

Join free and tell us what you really think!

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Comments on RugbyPass

RedWarrior 16 minutes ago

Ireland survive a major scare in unconvincing win over Argentina

"Argentina by multiple leagues of magnitude played better than Ireland today"

Utter nonsense. Ireland left a lot of scores out there.

25 Go to comments

RedWarrior 17 minutes ago

Ireland survive a major scare in unconvincing win over Argentina

He is still sore after 2022. He will recover when NZ next win the World Cup in 2039.

25 Go to comments

RedWarrior 19 minutes ago

Ireland survive a major scare in unconvincing win over Argentina

All Black Website: 🤡

Humble heroes
Despite their ferocity on the rugby field and their superstar status in the eyes of fans around the world, the All Blacks are known for being humble.🤡

25 Go to comments

RedWarrior 24 minutes ago

Ireland survive a major scare in unconvincing win over Argentina

Argentina are not an emerging nation. They are Tier1.

25 Go to comments

ch 24 minutes ago

Four England talking points after they blow it again down the finish

You can't have wholesale criticism of Borthwick when he brings on Ford for Smith and then criticise him when he doesn't. Why was Ford on the bench? In case Smith was injured of course.

3 Go to comments

Bull Shark 49 minutes ago

The full Steve Borthwick Q&A transcript after latest England loss

The quality of the players in this English team accounted for the much improved performance against SA. There was marked improvement in intensity from the players.

But I stand by my assessment that England needs a better coach. And captain while we’re at it.

With the right coach and leadership this England team could dominate the NH.

3 Go to comments

LRB 51 minutes ago

All Blacks winger chimes in on GOAT debate after France defeat

To the author..

"The All Blacks have slumped to a one point defeat"

Slumped.??

Dictionary meaning of slumped..

sit - lean - fall heavily & limply

I'm urging you to amend that sentence & educate yourself on the English language, or resign as an unqualified author at RP.

7 Go to comments

Bull Shark 53 minutes ago

South Africa standout reacts to 'lethargic' performance against England

Credit to England though. They looked much better than last week.

Some poor decisions cost them dearly. And they also could have been down to yellow at least once, so we’re kind of lucky in that respect.

But the boks never looked like losing, never look rattled.

3 Go to comments

Bull Shark 57 minutes ago

All Blacks winger chimes in on GOAT debate after France defeat

Cheslin Kolbe is the GOAT

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Td 1 hour ago

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That time of the month for you. NE? .. it must be a dark place living in your skin🤣🤣🤣... we love your hatred ... makes us so much more determined to rub it in... in your heeaaad in your heeeaad...

13 Go to comments

CO 1 hour ago

‘We’re in control’: Ardie Savea reflects on All Blacks’ loss to France

The Allblacks will be enormously frustrated with their errors as it was there to be taken but I still actually think the Allblacks played very well in their first two tests and then have been uneven for the rest of the year.

The England game a couple of weeks ago they had a ton of luck to sneak that win and the Wallabies and South Africa have shown that England exit the head coach.

Ireland have lost their way and that really left the French as the only side that was going to be a big challenge.

The French haven't had all the combinations the Allblacks have enjoyed and had friction in the camp.

The French out strategized the Allblacks but wouldn't beat South Africa.

We are now left with the Boks at number one, the French are second and the Allblacks are third.

Allblacks have to work out how to stop the unforced errors which has been killing them all year, making the game unnecessary tight.

8 Go to comments

Tom 1 hour ago

'Borthwick to the job centre' - England fans rage over latest collapse

He absolutely needs an outside influence, he's surrounded himself with yes men. Probably because he lacks confidence as an international coach. His coaching setup is a shambles. England need continuity but honestly, more than continuity, they need a new head coach. Borthwick could stay on as forwards coach but there's no way we're winning a world cup with him at the helm. He lacks experience, confidence and imagination.

2 Go to comments

RW 1 hour ago

Rassie Erasmus pinpoints what made the difference in tight Bok win