2023-09-23 07:50:11
The list of injured players for the French rugby team continues to grow. Victim of a maxillo-zygomatic fracture, Antoine Dupont is far from being the first Frenchman to take a quick trip to the infirmary since the start of preparation for this Rugby World Cup. In total, there are seven to have experienced a major problem.
Anthony Jelonch was the first on the flank. Victim of a ruptured anterior cruciate knee ligament during the Six Nations Tournament match against Scotland on February 26, the Stade Toulouse third row fought for more than six months to return to the squad. group and compete in the World Cup on home soil. Even though he missed the entire preparation and the opening match against the All Blacks, he finally accomplished his mission by returning against Uruguay, armband around his arm as a bonus.
Massacre during preparation
The Blues’ preparation matches also caused damage. During the second friendly match against Scotland, Romain Ntamack notably suffered the same fate as his friend from Stade Toulouse, a ruptured cruciate ligament. Hit during contact with Finn Russell, the flyhalf had to leave the pitch, then the group after the diagnosis was made official. This match also cost Cyril Baille his World Cup debut, injured in his right calf. The pillar, unlike his teammate, was able to return. He was also on the field against Namibia this Thursday evening.
The last preparation match, against Australia, also prevented Jonathan Danty from holding his place against the All Blacks, victim of a hamstring muscle injury. Also back against Namibia, the La Rochelle center, as usual, showed his power to score a double, a sign that the pain is now behind him.
Paul Willemse is the fifth on this list. And, unlike Jonathan Danty, Cyril Baille or Anthony Jelonch, he had to give up his place in the group of 33 Blues for this World Cup. While he was fine-tuning his preparation at his club in Montpellier, the 30-year-old second row injured his thigh. Replaced by his club teammate Bastien Chalureau, the player of South African origin misses his second consecutive World Cup.
Marchand and Dupont fallen in battle
Despite these numerous blows, bad luck has not stopped since the start of the competition. From the 12th minute of the opening match against New Zealand, Julien Marchand was forced to give way to Peato Mauvaka, disturbed by a hamstring muscle injury. Essential and able to return during the final phase, the hooker still remained in the France group and has since followed a suitable care program to get him back on his feet.
This is the outcome that the French team staff are still hoping for for Antoine Dupont, injured against Namibia this Thursday evening. Even if the fracture is proven, the hope of a return for a possible semi-final remains, and the Blues are clinging to it for the moment, while awaiting additional examinations. There is also concern for Paul Boudehent, replaced following a brain injury just a few minutes after coming on against the Namibians. Yet another hard blow for Fabien Galthié, who has an increasingly thin army of soldiers.
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