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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

Harry Latham-Coyle,Jack Rathborn
Friday 22 September 2023 18:30 BST
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Italy come back from behind to beat Uruguay 38-17 at the Rugby World Cup

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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.

FULL TIME France 96 - 0 Namibia

Wow, what a performance from France! 14 tries in Marseille and the home fans are loving it!

Unfortunately now hearing French captain Dupont is off to hospital to check for a possible cheek fracture after the head collision with Deysel.

Imogen Ainsworth21 September 2023 21:51

FRANCE PENALTY TRY! France 96 - 0 Namibia 79mins

Jason Benade collapses the maul and gets shown a yellow card. France awarded the penalty try so no conversion from Ramos this time! Namibia down to 13 players.

Imogen Ainsworth21 September 2023 21:51

FRANCE TRY! France 89 - 0 Namibia 76 mins

Jaminet gets the next try in the corner! But it’s Ramos who gives France their highest total score at a World Cup with the conversion! Funnily enough (well, not for Namibia) the last record stood from when they previously played Namibia in 2007 and beat them 87-10, and it’s also their biggest RWC winning margin.

    Imogen Ainsworth21 September 2023 21:47

    Ramos receives treatment France 82 - 0 Namibia 73 mins

    Ramos receives some medical attention and has his knee iced but stays on the pitch.

    Imogen Ainsworth21 September 2023 21:43

    FRANCE TRY! France 82 - 0 Namibia 68mins

    Ollivon gets his second as he deceives the defence on the wing with a simple dummy as he looks to be passing to Bielle-Biarrey and France make it the length of the pitch again. It’s their 200th World Cup try and Ollivon takes the honours. Ramos snaffles more points again with the conversion.

    Imogen Ainsworth21 September 2023 21:38

    FRANCE TRY! France 75 - 0 Namibia 64 min

    And they do just that! Bielle-Biarrey puts on the pace and gets his second score, running most of the pitch on the way! Ramos converts yet again.

    Namibian winger Greyling initially provides a threat as he makes a break but as he kicks the ball away France get back on track. It looked like the best opportunity so far for Namibia to score but France are there again to destroy their hopes and extend the already-damning scoreline.

    Imogen Ainsworth21 September 2023 21:34

    Namibia penalised in the scrum France 68- 0 Namibia 61 mins

    Namibia concede a penalty for standing up in the scrum. France have become slightly flat compared to the electric first half and will be looking to reignite their scoring.

    Imogen Ainsworth21 September 2023 21:32

    Namibia to the corner France 68 - 0 Namibia 59 mins

    Namibia have the penalty and Cliven Loubser kicks to the corner, France get the turnover though in the maul and spoil Namibia’s chances again.

    Imogen Ainsworth21 September 2023 21:29

    Injury pause France 68 - 0 Namibia 56 mins

    A slight pause to the match as Paul Boudehent receives treatment for an injury suffered as he got his head on the wrong side of the tackle and goes down. The match restarts with a Namibia scrum

    Imogen Ainsworth21 September 2023 21:26

    FRANCE TRY! France 68 -0 Namibia 54 mins

    Penaud gets a hattrick! Ramos with the extras again. Jaminet should have released a pass earlier on for the winger but he eventually gets the ball and is away for his third.

    Imogen Ainsworth21 September 2023 21:22

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