Antoine Dupont: France captain undergoes surgery on facial injury and will return to Rugby World Cup squad
Antoine Dupont undergoes surgery on fracture in his jaw and will return to France's Rugby World Cup squad for gradual recovery; French federation does not say whether captain will play again at the tournament
Saturday 23 September 2023 11:32, UK
France captain Antoine Dupont is to rejoin France's Rugby World Cup squad after undergoing surgery on his fractured jaw.
The 27-year-old sustained the injury during his side's victory over Namibia via a head-to-head clash with Johan Deysel, whose initial yellow card was upgraded to a red after a bunker review.
France sought specialist advice and their captain has now had an operation on the fracture.
The French Rugby Federation (FFR) confirmed Dupont will now return to the squad, although their statement did not say whether Dupont will play again at the tournament.
- Antoine Dupont's World Cup campaign in serious doubt after fracturing jaw
- Antoine Dupont's suspected fracture mars France's big win over Namibia
It read: "Following his injury sustained during the France-Namibia match, Antoine Dupont underwent surgery at Toulouse's Purpan University on Sept. 22 at around 11 p.m.
"In a few days' time, he will be able to return to the French team as part of a gradual sporting recovery under medical supervision."
Dupont, the world player of the year in 2021, will likely not be so badly missed for France's last Pool A game against Italy in two weeks on October 6.
But his absence for the quarter-finals might be critical, with France on course for a meeting with top-ranked Ireland or defending champion and No 2 South Africa.
Dupont surgery could lead to swift recovery and return
Sky Sports News reporter James Cole:
"This injury to Dupont will be a real worry to France and French rugby fans because it's such an important player - the captain, the talisman.
"But surgery could be good news because in 2015, Dan Lydiate, the Welsh flanker, underwent a similar operation on his eye socket.
"He injured it in the game against Fiji, had the operation where a metal plate went into his eye socket, then returned two games later for the quarter-final against South Africa.
"So there is a precedent there for players who face injuries at World Cups; that's the good news potentially for Dupont, and what the fans will be hoping for."
