Staff Reporter.
France captain Antoine Dupont has been cleared to return to training before his side’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against South Africa on Sunday.
Dupont has not played since suffering a broken cheekbone during the hosts’ 96-0 victory over Namibia on 21 September.
The 26-year-old had sugery after the injury, which was caused by a head-on tackle.
The French rugby federation confirmed he will “resume training as early as today”.
The team’s coaching staff had said that the surgeon’s clearance was key to Dupont’s possible participation in Sunday’s clash against the Springboks.
Dupont will now have the final say over whether he is fit enough to be considered for selection, according to the team.
The scrum-half was originally cleared to resume “progressive physical activity” after his surgery, but can now take part in full training alongside his team-mates.
Maxime Lucu started at scrum-half in France’s 60-7 victory over Italy on Friday with Dupont watching from the stands.
26-year-old Dupont was named World Rugby’s player of the year in 2021 and was voted Six Nations player of the tournament in 2022 and 2023.
France have won all of their matches so far during this World Cup, including an impressive victory over New Zealand in the tournament’s opening game.