Antoine Dupont news live: Injury update on France captain as Australia prepare for crunch game against Wales
France thrashed Namibia in Pool A but suffered a concerning injury to their talisman, with a suspected concussion and fractured jaw
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
France holds its breath after Antoine Dupont’s injury sustained in the 96-0 thrashing of Namibia with their Rugby World Cup hopes set to take a considerable blow.
Dupont went off with a potential serious facial injury in the Marseille clash and was taken to hospital with Fabien Galthie’s decision to keep his captain and star scrum half on the field, despite a 54-point half-time lead, brought into question.
Now the French Rugby Federation has confirmed that Dupont suffered a facial fracture, but said in a statement that he will remain with the squad while specialists determine the exact length of the World Cup star’s unavailability.
Follow all the latest updates on Dupont’s condition and the potential ramifications for South Africa, Ireland and even Scotland depending on the quarter-final matches. Plus get all the latest Rugby World Cup odds and tips here.
France’s scrum half options afte Antoine Dupont’s injury
So while we await confirmation of the prognosis of Antoine Dupont’s injury, it’s worth considering France’s options at scrum half. Baptiste Serin has been something of a cause celebre for French fans after his impressive Top 14 form, but it seems highly unlikely that Dupont will be replaced in the squad if there is even half a chance of him featuring again. That means it’s likely to be Maxime Lucu and Baptiste Couilloud running the show for the next few weeks - Lucu has been Galthie’s preferred back-up to Dupont for most of the run-up to this World Cup, but Couilloud is arguably more talented and might be more of a like-for-like replacement.
Antoine Dupoint suffered facial fracture, confirms French Federation
Antoine Dupoint suffered a facial fracture in the thrashing of Namibia last night, confirms the French Rugby Federation.
“Antoine Dupont has suffered a maxillo-zygomatic fracture. A specialist surgical opinion has been requested to determine the exact length of the player’s unavailability. Antoine Dupont remains with the France squad,” the FFR said in a statement.
French media hold out hope Antoine Dupont could return for semi-finals
The French media is already holding out hope Antoine Dupont could return for France at the semi-final stages at the Rugby World Cup.
To lose their talisman, in a home World Cup, is the stuff of nightmares for Les Bleus, in their greatest chance yet to conquer the rugby world.
But Rugby Rama have reported a very conservative timeframe for Dupont to be back for the semi-finals, should France advance, although the exact nature of the injury is still to be confirmed.
Antoine Dupont taken to hospital with suspected fractured jaw
France have sustained a major blow to their hopes of a home Rugby World Cup triumph after captain Antoine Dupont suffered a suspected facial fracture.
Dupont was taken to hospital after leaving the field after a head-to-head collision during the second half of the hosts’ record win over Namibia.
The scrum-half, regarded by most as the best player in the world, was hit by the top of Johan Deysel’s head, with the Namibia centre’s yellow card upgraded to red on review.
While the incident happened early in the second half, Fabien Galthie’s decision to keep his star man on despite a sizeable 54-point halftime advantage may be scrutinised with Dupont now expected to miss at least some of France’s potential run to the final.
“There’s a suspicion of a crack or fracture in his jaw,” Galthie said after the 96-0 thrashing. “He’s gone for tests. We’ll wait for the results before moving forward.”
More here:
Antoine Dupont taken to hospital as France suffer major World Cup blow
The hosts’ captain and star scrum half was taken to hospital, leaving his further participation at the tournament in doubt
France rack up record score in huge Rugby World Cup win over Namibia
Rampant France demolished Namibia 96-0, with Damian Penaud plundering a hat-trick of tries as the hosts set a new record score to maintain their perfect start to the Rugby World Cup.
However, the victors saw captain Antoine Dupont go off with a potential serious facial injury in the Marseille clash.
Full report:
France rack up record score in huge Rugby World Cup win over Namibia
France 96-0 Namibia: The hosts racked up a huge win but lost captain Antoine Dupont to injury
Next up - Uruguay and Italy
A tough night for Namibia, who had a couple of chances but were overwhelmed in all areas by a fully firing French side.
Namibia will face Uruguay in their next match next Wednesday. France will face the anxious wait to discover the extent of Dupont’s injury but have two weeks until their next match which will be against Italy.
France - record broken at half time
Not only did France set their highest-ever RWC score at full time and score their 200th try, but they were also setting records at half time.
Brilliance from Bielle-Biarrey
As well has his two tries, Bielle-Biarrey’s quick reactions and game-reading ability also set Danty up to score his first try. The 20-year-old is really impressing at the RWC and is proving to be a strong asset to the French team.
REACTION - FULL TIME France 96 - 0 Namibia
Damien Penaud is awarded player of the match and gives his thoughts on their record-breaking win.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments