Romain Rouillard (with Martin Lange) / Photo credit: MATTHIEU MIRVILLE / DPPI VIA AFP
During today’s training of the French XV in Rueil-Malmaison, Antoine Dupont, injured in the face against Namibia (96-0) but authorized by his surgeon to return to competition, wore the starting number 9. The Blues’ playing master could therefore be lined up from the start against South Africa on Sunday in the quarter-final.
His return was hoped for this quarter-final against South Africa. According to the latest indicators, number 9 of the French XV, Antoine Dupont, injured against Namibia three weeks ago, could indeed be lined up from the start on Sunday against the reigning world champions. During today’s training at Rueil-Malmaison, the Toulouse player wore the starting number 9.
Merchant still on the sidelines
Hit in the face after a shock against the Namibian captain, Johan Deysel, Antoine Dupont had to be operated on for a maxillo-zygomatic fracture before his surgeon authorized him, this Monday, to return to collective training. While there was talk that he would play with a helmet on Sunday evening, the captain of the Blues did not wear one this Tuesday, at the start of training.
On the other hand, hooker Julien Marchand, injured against New Zealand in the opener (27-13), remains unavailable and should be replaced by Peato Mauvaka, excellent since the start of the tournament. Also note the probable tenure of young Louis Bielle-Biarrey (20 years old), on the wing, at the expense of Gabien Villière.
The probable composition of the French XV against South Africa : Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Dupont; Ollivon, Alldritt, Jelonch; Flament, Woki; Atonio, Mauvaka, Baille