2023-09-30 13:41:44
“Antoine Dupont joins the France group today”. The French Rugby Federation (FFR) announced on Saturday the return of the captain of the French XV, operated on for a broken jaw on September 21 following a shock suffered against Namibia during the 2023 World Cup. The Blues strategist “was authorized to resume directed progressive physical activity”.
Published on: 09/30/2023 – 1:41 p.m.
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Finally a clearing for the Blues! Eight days after his jaw operation, captain Antoine Dupont returns to the French XV on Saturday, to gradually resume physical activity and continue his time trial with a view to returning to the field as quickly as possible, why not just time for the quarter-final of the 2023 World Cup.
“Antoine Dupont joins the France group today,” the French Rugby Federation (FFR) announced in the morning, before specifying that the scrum half would return to the group in Aix-en-Provence “in the evening”.
“Following the post-operative medical examination which took place yesterday (Friday, editor’s note), Antoine was authorized to resume directed progressive physical activity”, which will be “under the control of the medical staff of the XV of France”.
Guide and inspiration for the Blues, Dupont (26 years old, 51 caps) was hit violently on the cheekbone by Namibian center Johan Deysel during the big victory (96-0) against the “Welwitschias” on September 21 in Marseille.
Released in the 46th minute, he was operated on the following evening at the Purpan hospital in Toulouse by Professor Frédéric Lauwers, one of the best French specialists in maxillofacial surgery.
Since then, he has started a race against time to get back on the pitch.
Family rest
If his teammates validate their qualification for the quarters on Friday in Lyon against Italy, there will still be nine days left for the captain of the Blues to prepare physically and psychologically for a return, with a likely shock in mind against the rough South African Springboks. , reigning world champions, on October 15.
A challenge commensurate with the will and thirst for titles of the best player in the world in 2021, for whom winning the Webb-Ellis Cup on October 28, at home, is a stated objective.
Antoine Dupont rested after spending the weekend with family in his village of Castelnau-Magnoac (Hautes-Pyrénées).
The day after the operation, he announced, via his social networks, that he had been “hit but not sunk”, confiding that he was “looking forward to joining the group”. Antoine Dupont then rested after spending the weekend with family in his village of Castelnau-Magnoac (Hautes-Pyrénées).
Read alsoFind all the results and schedule for the World Cup
Dupont’s jaw magnetized the debates, against the backdrop of a return to the Blues who, at the top of Group A after three victories in three matches, have a final decisive meeting on Friday in Lyon against Italy, to validate their ticket for the quarters.
This meeting, which looks like a “round of 16”, will very likely take place without Dupont, the health manager of the French XV Bruno Boussagol having even said on Thursday that he was “convinced”.
Gradual return
“There are so many things to validate that we are not planning on that. We are only planning on his return to the group, the resumption of rugby,” he said at a press conference.
“His return will be gradual, first by cycling. A priori at the beginning of the week, added Bruno Boussagol. this shock. He has a strong motivation to come back but his return to the field will be gradual.”
Forward coach William Servat said on Tuesday that he had “no doubt” about Dupont’s presence in the quarter-final.
Antoine “Dupont is an extraordinary player. Exceptional. He is a high-level athlete and, among high-level athletes, he is someone extraordinary”, emphasized to AFP Doctor Bernard Dusfour, former president of the medical commission of the National Rugby League (LNR), before the operation of the captain of the Blues.
With AFP
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