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France’s chances of lifting the World Cup have taken a massive dent with scans revealing captain Antoine Dupont suffered a facial fracture in the 96-0 win over Namibia.
The 2021 World Player of the Year and captain of the host nation was hit by Namibian captain Johan Deysel in the second half. Deysel received a red card.
The 26-year-old was examined by medical staff and was clutching his face. He didn’t return from a HIA check and was taken to hospital while the game was ongoing.
“Antoine Dupont has suffered a maxillo-zygomatic fracture,” the FFR said in a statement.
“A specialist surgical opinion has been requested to determine the exact length of the player’s unavailability. Antoine Dupont remains with the France squad.”
French coach Fabien Galthie told reporters after the game: “We have suspicions of a crack or fracture on the maxilla (jaw bone). He has gone for examinations. We will wait for the results before moving forward. We need to take advantage of this great victory and the players’ fine performance.”
French media has reported the timeline of recover between three to four weeks. There were varying reports on whether he could return in time for a quarterfinal or semifinal.
France will likely top their group having beaten New Zealand in the opening game and will face a quarterfinal on October 13 or 14.
French team general manager Raphael Ibanez said: “We feel sorry for Antoine. It just reminds us how dangerous head to head contact can be. Antoine got a big hit on his face. We do some exams to make sure there is nothing wrong with him but he’s a strong guy and we can rely on his strength.”
Dupont was already showing his class in the massacre of the African minnows.
The rugby world reacted in shock to the moment that could shift the balance of power away from the host nation, already without star No.10 Romain Ntamack.
Dupont’s brilliance is something every other nation fears.
“There’s no one in any team like Dupont, he’s too good. I’ve analysed him in depth but you try to understand and coach how you can limit him but he becomes such an enigma is it? An anomaly, when he doesn’t have the ball,” said Irish legend Ronan O’Gara, who coaches against Dupont in France, this week on RugbyPass.
“He has the freakish strength of a front row and back row. He has the fend of a centre and he has the speed of winger and he has the smarts of a 10 and he’s gone.
“That’s where he does stuff that sometimes – I absolutely hate him – obviously, because he’s from Toulouse and he’s so good. And he’s caused me a lot of hurt.
“But I admire everything in this rugby player. He is beyond a freak for me. He would deflate a nation. He is (Zinedine) Zidane for this team.”