Scrum-half remains in camp while specialist opinion sought
France’s Rugby World Cup hopes face being damaged considerably after it was confirmed that captain Antoine Dupont, widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, suffered a facial fracture in last night record 96-0 victory over Namibia.
The 26-year-old looks set to at least miss France’s last Pool A game against Italy on 6 October and he is a big doubt for a potential quarter-final clash against the world’s No 1 team, Ireland, or defending champions South Africa.
The quarter-finals are scheduled for the weekend of 14-15 October, the semi-finals the weekend after and the final on Saturday, 28 October.
"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.
The loss of Dupont would be a severe blow to France's chances of winning the World Cup for the first time.
As well as being named world player of the year he was also voted Six Nations player of the tournament in 2022 and 2023.
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