France give no timeline for Dupont’s return after surgery on facial injury

The France captain Antoine Dupont has undergone surgery on a facial injury and will return to their Rugby World Cup squad to recover, the French federation (FFR) said on Saturday, though it gave no timeline for when the scrum-half might return to the field.

The 26-year-old sustained the injury in Thursday’s 96-0 record win against Namibia in a head-to-head clash with opposing captain Johan Deysel, whose initial yellow card was upgraded to a red.

“Following his injury sustained during the France-Namibia match, Antoine Dupont underwent surgery at Toulouse’s CHU Purpan on 22 September at around 11pm,” the federation said in a statement. “In a few days’ time, he will be able to return to the French team as part of a gradual sporting recovery under medical supervision.” The FFR did not say when Dupont would be able to play again.

France, who are already without fly-half Romain Ntamack at the World Cup due to injury, next face Italy on 6 October. Les Bleus could face top-ranked Ireland or defending champions South Africa in the quarter-finals on the weekend of 14-15 October.

Dupont is expected to miss at least the game against Italy, which leaves coach Fabien Galthié to choose between Baptiste Couilloud and Maxime Lucu to replace the 2021 world player of the year. France have won 27 of 31 Tests with Dupont in their ranks and lost four of 11 in his absence.

Speaking on Friday, the France assistant coach Laurent Labit said: “We’re like everyone else. We’re worried. We were happy with the match but it was a difficult evening for us. We’re not making any plans too soon.”