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Early Antoine Dupont prognosis not looking good for France

Antoine Dupont of France must leave the field with a jaw injury during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between France and Namibia at Stade Velodrome on September 21, 2023 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)

Early reports this Friday morning around the extent of the injury to Antoine Dupont are not looking good for France and their mercurial captain.

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Dupont is suspected to have broken a bone in his face following a head-on-head clash with Namibia centre Johan Deysel.

He was taken from the pitch to hospital for an examination and scans on the suspected break, leaving France facing the nightmare scenario of being without their star captain until the knock-out phases of the Rugby World Cup.

RMC Sport report that Dupont’s brother has confirmed that the scrumhalf has suffered a fracture to his zygomatic bone.  This would normally mean a six-week recovery time, which would end the scrumhalf’s participation in the World Cup.

However, all is not lost, with hopes that the recovery time could potentially be shortened to four weeks, depending on the severity of the injury, which is not yet known, with medics waiting for a hematoma to his face to reduce before making any further prognosis.

The next 48 hours will be crucial.

In the circumstances, it is not inconceivable that Dupont will play with heavy padding to his face or even a protective face mask, to allow him to return to the field as early as possible. Should the recovery time be reduced to four weeks, Dupont could yet feature in a potential semi-final, should France make it that far.

However, it would mean he will miss a likely quarter-final against one of Ireland, South Africa or Scotland.

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As France waits with bated breath for news on Dupont, Fabien Galthie has defended his decision to bring the superstar scrumhalf back on after halftime.

“There’s a suspicion of a crack or fracture in his jaw. He’s gone for tests,” said Gatlhie after the match. “We’ll wait for the results before moving forward. We need to take advantage of this great victory and the players’ fine performance.”

With some questioning why Dupont was risked against Pool A n Namibia, Galthie was quizzed on why he decided to bring the Touslain back on after halftime in Marseille.

“What do you want me to say? You can’t take 14 players off at half-time. Our plan was to bring off one, three and five at half-time, then the rest at the 55th minute. The aim was to give everyone some game-time and not sit back for a month. The players wanted and needed to play.”

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Back row Francois Cros also expressed his sadness at the news that Dupont’s injury was serious.

“I hope it’s not serious. If it is, it would obviously have an impact on him and on us. We still have some experienced nines who can take over.

“Watching the replay, we knew the decision the referee would make. But we had no idea about Toto’s [Antoine Dupont’s] condition. We didn’t know if he was going off as a precaution or if he was really hurt until the end of the match.”

Centre Gael Fickou said: “At the moment, we don’t know what’s wrong. We’re obviously waiting and waiting. We’re frustrated for him. I hope he’ll be able to play and that it’s nothing serious. We’re all waiting impatiently for the results. When he went off, we suspected it was a bit serious.”

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Comments

5 Comments
T
Thomas 669 days ago

Couilloud should start

C
Chris 669 days ago

Lucu should be sent home and Serin back in the mix if we're to keep any hope of a title.

C
Chris 669 days ago

Johan Deysel will have a tough couple of months I believe... Between a (deserved) lengthy ban and the fact that he plays and lives in France (pro D2).... Frenchmen are not a very forgiving people should the country not qualify for the semi...

R
Railroad Bill 669 days ago

Yep,would not like to be in his shoes

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Soliloquin 18 minutes ago
Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

233 Go to comments
S
Soliloquin 35 minutes ago
Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


I really hope that:

-Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

-Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

-Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

233 Go to comments
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