Antoine Dupont will make a remarkable Rugby World Cup comeback for France’s quarter-final against South Africa.
The world’s best player suffered a facial fracture in France’s 96-0 thrashing of Namibia on September 21.
Captain Johan Deysel was sent off for an at-best rustic challenge, that left Dupont in tears and his World Cup hanging in the balance.
But now after a final sign-off from his surgeon, professor Frederic Lauwers, scrum-half and captain Dupont can return to full training.
Dupont had a metal plate inserted to strengthen the cheekbone after his facial fracture, and was now due to rejoin France’s team training on Monday.
“Following his medical visit today with the surgeon who operated on him, Antoine Dupont obtained authorisation to resume rugby training today,” the French federation confirmed in a statement.
Dupont has only missed France’s 60-7 win over Italy, and can now step up preparations to take on reigning champions South Africa in Paris on Sunday night.
The Toulouse superstar will be pivotal to France’s hopes of dethroning the 2019 World Cup winners, with his blend of tactical acumen, physical superiority and attacking finesse.
France have had to approach their entire home World Cup without Toulouse fly-half Romain Ntamack, who suffered a serious knee injury in the final preparations for the competition.
So Dupont’s return will prove a major boost to Les Bleus this weekend.
