Antoine Dupont posts short social media message following operation

Antoine Dupont has posted a short message on social media less than 12 hours after his late Friday night operation in Toulouse. The French skipper played just 45 minutes of France’s 96-0 Pool A win in Marseille on Thursday, exiting the action with a fractured cheekbone following a red-carded tackle to the head from Namibia’s Johan Deysel. 

The injury sparked fears that Dupont’s Rugby World Cup campaign was over but there is now hope that an operation will see him rejoin the France squad in the coming days and ultimately be available for the quarter-finals on the weekend of October 14. 

An FFR communication on Saturday morning read: “Following his injury contracted during the France-Namibia match, Antoine Dupont was operated on September 22 around 23:00 at the CHU Purpan in Toulouse.

"In a few days, he will be able to return to the France team in a process of gradual sports recovery and under medical supervision.” 

It’s believed a plaque was inserted to strengthen Dupont’s cheekbone and the plan is for him to rest for a week before resuming training with the aim of being fit for a quarter-final match in three weeks' time. 

Dupont has since followed the French rugby federation’s communique with a message of his own, posting to his 628,000 followers on Instagram and his 130,000 followers on X. 

 “Touched but not sunk,” he wrote. “Show must go on. Can't wait to reunite with the band. Thank you for your messages.”