The XV of France has a date with history. Before hoping to reach the final of the Rugby World Cup, the team led by Fabien Galthié will have to overcome a major obstacle: South Africa. The Blues will face the Springboks next Sunday and will need all their resources to hope to gain the upper hand. However, good news fell this Monday, October 9, giving the French even more hope of winning the match.
Indeed, Anthony Dupont, who suffered a fracture to his right cheekbone on September 21 during the match against Namibia, was doubtful for the quarter-final, as well as for the rest of the world rugby tournament. After having undergone maxillo-zygomatic surgery the day after his injury, the surgeons seem to have done an excellent job. He was deemed fit to return to training on Monday and to face South Africa in a few days.
.@Dupont9A will not play hidden. He will eventually be able to wear a helmet, but he will first do tests with the helmet during training.#XVdeFrance#FRAAFS (2/2)
— Isabelle Ithurburu (@IsaIthurburu) October 9, 2023
Also see: Antoine Dupont: his latest publication on social networks is problematic, the fans don’t understand it!
Antoine Dupont back, but without a mask
It was his surgeon, Frédéric Lauwers, who gave the green light, as reported The Team. However, a question arises: Anthony Dupont will he play with a mask, as is recommended, or simply with a helmet to protect himself? Unfortunately, on this point, the World Rugby rules are clear: “Any equipment containing rigid materials is prohibited, as they may increase the risk for the wearer or other players during contact”.
So, Anthony Dupont will have to settle for a helmet next Sunday,
as confirmed by Isabelle Ithurburu
this Monday. “According to the Health Manager of the #XVdeFrance, Antoine Dupont is able to resume training normally, without adjustments in contacts. He will train with the other players throughout the week. He will be medically ready to play on Sunday”she first recalled before revealing: “Antoine Dupont will not play masked. He may eventually wear a helmet, but he will first do tests with the helmet during training”. We hope that the tests with the headset will be conclusive.
RF