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France issue injury updates on Damian Penaud and Antoine Dupont
By Ian Cameron
France support coach Karim Ghezal has issued an injury update on winger Damian Penaud and captain Antoine Dupont following last nightās Rugby World Cup win over Italy in Lyon.
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Les Bleus booked their spot in the knockout stages of the competition after thrashing Italy 60-7 in an ultimately one-sided affair.
It now sets up a quarter-final against one of Scotland, South Africa or Ireland but Fabien Galthie will be hoping that Dupont ā Franceās captain and star player ā returns to the field for the pivotal game.
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Dupontās next marker will be whether or not his surgeon clears him to play, a meeting which will take place next week. By the sounds of things, his return is looking increasingly likely.
He said that injured scrumhalf Dupont is in āgreat shapeā as he battles to be considered fit for France in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
āHis physical qualities are impressive. Heās 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 hasnāt lost much in the week heās been off, quite the opposite in fact. Physically, heās in great shape.ā
Ghezal also issued an update on Damian Penaud, who was seen limping last night following their victory over Italy in their last pool stage match.
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āEverythingās fine,ā said Ghezal in regards to Penaud, who scored a brace of tries against Italy. āIt happens to him in training too. I think itās a slight knock to his tibia. All the players are going to have a medical assessment this morning. From what Iāve heard, we donāt have any concerns with any players. Damian is 100 per cent.ā
The game also saw the successful comebacks of back row Anthony Jelonch and prop Cyril Baille.
āTheir comebacks are down to the quality of the medical staff and performance work to get them back on the pitch. Weāve got 33 players who started out and have gone from strength to strength. Some were ruled out by injury, while others, like Cyril, started the competition with an injury and came back.
āWith Cyril, if you look at the first defensive touch of the match, he does a sprint. Each time he has a lot of energy, he goes from strength to strength. Anthony is the same. Heās had one match after another and heās performing well in his strong points.
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āAs for Julien (Marchand), weāre waiting to see how he progresses and we hope to see him back playing in the tournament. As long as heās with us, that means weāre counting on him for the games ahead. After that, weāll give it a couple of days and see how he is. Heās been running. Iāll be told on Monday or Tuesday whether heās fit.ā
Sounds promising.
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