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France skipper Antoine Dupont (file pic). Dave Winter/INPHO

Dupont returns to France Rugby World Cup squad after surgery

The scrum-half has been cleared to resume physical activity.

FRANCE’S TALISMANIC CAPTAIN Antoine Dupont has rejoined the hosts’ Rugby World Cup squad a week after undergoing surgery on a fractured cheekbone, the French federation (FFR) announced on Saturday.

“Following the post-operative medical examination which took place yesterday (Friday), Antoine was authorised to resume directed progressive physical activity,” the FFR said in a statement.

“This activity will be carried out under the supervision of the medical staff of the France team.”

Scrum-half Dupont is expected to return in time for the quarter-finals, should France qualify, on the weekend of October 14-15.

France’s next game is against Italy on 6 October in Lyon when a victory would guarantee top spot in Pool A and a last-eight tie, in all likelihood with World Cup holders South Africa.

On Thursday, the French team’s doctor Bruno Boussagol said he was “convinced” that Dupont’s return would not take place against Italy.

“The news is reassuring,” Boussagol said. “We’re side-by-side with him, we’re hoping for a quick return.

“It’s a complex situation to manage: we have a process that requires us to be careful. But his return is conditional on the green light from the surgeon, that’s clear.”

Former World Rugby player of the year Dupont, 26, was helped off the pitch in a 96-0 win over Namibia in Marseille on September 21.

Namibia captain Johan Deysel was banned for five matches for the challenge.

After the game Dupont remained upbeat, posting “The show must go on” on social media.

Missing poster boy Dupont for the knock-out stages would be a big blow to France’s chances of lifting the Webb Ellis trophy for the first time.

The Toulouse half-back is yet to lose on home soil as captain of his country, a run dating back 14 Tests.

– © AFP 2023

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    Mute Tom O'Connor
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 6:15 PM

    Wow the FA actually showing a bit of backbone and rescinding a red card! If there’s any justice Costa will get a ban and Mike Dean get a warning for a shocking performance, playing up to the big game as usual

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    Mute Steve Kinsey
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 8:52 PM

    Costa did get a ban.

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    Mute Tom O'Connor
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 11:40 PM

    My comment was before the ban was announced. Delighted for the tramp

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    Mute luke frankus
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 5:41 PM

    Give Costa the 3 match ban instead! Filthy animal

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    Mute Scorpionvenomm
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 7:44 PM

    Costa got a 3 match ban

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    Mute luke frankus
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 8:10 PM

    Just saw that now. Justice!!

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    Mute Tony Mcgrath
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 6:46 PM

    costa nearly as bad as philly mc mahon

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    Mute Cathal Shannon
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 7:54 PM

    Nearly….. But , nice boys get nice girls nice boys don’t win all Ireland’s

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    Mute lenny
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 5:47 PM

    any chance you could show a clip of the incident? never saw it

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    Mute luke frankus
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 5:47 PM

    Youtube.

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    Mute lenny
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 9:55 PM

    I never commented that

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    Mute lenny
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 9:56 PM

    I got fraped lads

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    Mute colin
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 10:38 PM
    15
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    Mute Joey English
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 7:05 PM

    Should they not remove the charge for failing to leave the pitch seeing as they justified that hos argument at the time was correct?

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    Mute Unknown
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 8:12 PM

    Feck all this lads! Eva Carneiro just left Chelsea and is looking for a new job

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    Mute Senan Hogan O Brien
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 8:36 PM

    I’d give her a job.

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    Mute Dave Meagher
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 11:47 PM

    Or would it be roles reversed if ya get my meaning….

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 6:27 PM

    in fairness though he did commit two yellow card offenses. Costa was a disgrace but Gabriel chose to get involved in the first place

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    Mute Ian Durham
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 7:22 PM

    It’s all a bit late Chelsea get the win and Wenger blames everyone else for Arsenal choking in another big game.

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    Mute Dave Murray
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 9:19 PM

    Mourinho’s next press conference should be interesting.

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    Mute Danno
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 7:03 PM

    Why did they charge him them ?

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    Mute Michael Leahy
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 8:44 PM

    premier league now full of pussies. thought central defenders were meant to e big hard men, not going crying to the media or the fa coz a striker bullied them

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Sep 23rd 2015, 12:26 AM

    The very striker you’re referring to went crying and whinging to the referee at every opportunity

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    Mute Michael Leahy
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    Sep 23rd 2015, 12:29 AM

    that’s why I’m saying they’re all pussies

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Sep 23rd 2015, 12:39 AM

    also to be fair, I haven’t heard Koscielny or Gabriel say anything to the media. The referee is the one that referred it to the FA.

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    Mute Steve Kinsey
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 8:53 PM

    Mourinho’s gonna need a doctor. Oh…

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    Mute Finbarr butler
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 9:19 PM

    Fareplay

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 8:12 PM

    I can see the potential for a lengthy ban for Costa here. they could total up every incident as a separate red card offense

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    Mute luke frankus
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 8:19 PM

    Even though he’s a p rick I wouldn’t agree with that. They’d have to do it to everyone else if that was the case.

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 8:28 PM

    Oh I definitely don’t think it would be fair bit there was a lot that the ref didn’t see and that’s their specific role

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    Mute luke frankus
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 8:36 PM

    Do you even think about half the bulls hit that comes out your mouth??

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Sep 23rd 2015, 12:22 AM

    to be clear I was referring to the Koscielny incident, the Gabriel incident and the Chambers incident. All of which were not seen properly by the ref. That’s the exact requirement for the FA to look into it. I didn’t say I wanted it to be done that way or that it would be fair. Can’t quite see how that got you so riled up.

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    Mute Dave Meagher
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 11:45 PM

    “Brazilian striker” haha nice dig.

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Sep 23rd 2015, 12:27 AM

    to be fair, he’s not Spanish

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    Mute Farleysrusk
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    Sep 22nd 2015, 8:20 PM

    Mourinho tomorrow…….conspiracy against Chelsea, they are all out to get him………blah blah

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