2023-09-25 19:44:12
The players of the French XV returned one by one on Sunday evening to find their rooms in their 5-star hotel in Aix-en-Provence, after three days of rest, most of them spent with family. But one of the rooms remained desperately empty: that of Captain Antoine Dupont.
The Blues scrum half fractured his maxillo-zygomatic bone last Thursday against Namibia (96-0), and had surgery the next day. He is spending the start of his convalescence in the South-West, and is therefore the only one of the 33 Blues who was missing when training resumed this Monday, under the Provençal sun.
“Obviously, it’s a hard blow to lose a player, Antoine is our captain, the best player in the world,” recognizes Arthur Vincent, the three-quarter center from Montpellier. We support him enormously, we think highly of him. » The Blues got news from their captain during these three days of rest agitated by the soap opera on Dupont’s injury and its consequences.
“He told us he was doing pretty well, that’s positive”
“All the players have heard from him,” confirms pillar Reda Wardi. As an individual, I had it too. According to the discussions that everyone had, he told us that he was doing quite well, that’s positive. The group hopes that he will be able to join us quickly. »
Because the express operation undergone by the Toulouse resident, from Friday evening, suggests a rapid return. When exactly ? “We don’t clearly know what’s going to happen,” admits Arthur Vincent. The staff will manage. But Antoine will be reinstated, he is part of group life. » This return should take place during the week, probably Thursday, even if Dupont will probably not be able to resume training before October 1st.
Without Antoine Dupont of course. Julien Marchand has resumed the race but is not present on the field. Paul Boudehent, safely resting in concussion protocol, remained at the edge of the field.
— jgbontinck (@JGBONTINCK) September 25, 2023
“He will bring his expertise to certain phases of the game”
But even without playing, the captain’s return is eagerly awaited by his teammates. “Antoine will be with the group, he will be with us,” rejoices Arthur Vincent. Just his presence is important. Humanly and tactically. He will be there at the video sessions, at training sessions, he will bring his expertise to certain phases of the game.” “Antoine is part of the group, there was no debate on that,” assures Wardi.
What if he came back too soon, at the risk of endangering his health, as some fear? “He is very well supported, by his loved ones, by all the health specialists. They know how to manage, we know it will be done well, replies Vincent, who has already experienced a relapse (knee ligaments) after a first injury. In the end, it will be his decision, it will be the best one that is taken, because we are really well supported. It will be alright ! »
Optimism is in order, therefore among the Blues. Especially since the other injured people are doing better: Grégory Alldritt, after a slight knee scare, trained normally, Julien Marchand, injured against New Zealand, resumed the race and Paul Boudehent, who passed successfully a so-called “HIA 3” test (for Head Injury Assessment, head injury assessment protocol) after his concussion against Namibia, will be able to resume contact in twelve days. All apply against Italy, the next match of the XV of France, on October 6 in Lyon.
#France #presence #important #Blues #await #return #Antoine #Dupont