France captain Antoine Dupont given go-ahead to return following surgery

France captain Antoine Dupont has been cleared to return to action following surgery on his facial fracture. Scrum-half Dupont became a doubt for the remainder of his country’s home Rugby World Cup after suffering the injury during a 96-0 win over Namibia on September 21. The French Rugby Federation announced the 26-year-old was back with Fabien Galthie’s squad at their base in Aix-en-Provence. Les Bleus play Italy in their final Pool A match on Friday, with a likely quarter-final to come on the weekend of October 14-15. ‘Antoine has been given the go-ahead to resume physical activity taking it step by step,’ read a statement from the French federation. ‘This activity will take place under the supervision of the French national team’s medical staff.’ Dupont was taken off in the 46th minute against Namibia after opposition captain Johan Deysel made a head-on-head tackle and was sent off. Deysel was subsequently banned for five matches. Antoine has been given the go-ahead to resume physical activity taking it step by step France’s health manager Bruno Boussagol said on Thursday he was ‘convinced’ Toulouse player Dupont would not be available for Les Bleus’ upcoming match with Italy. Bordeaux’s Maxime Lucu is expected to deputise in Lyon. France assistant coach William Servat told a press conference on Tuesday he had ‘no doubts’ Dupont would be available for the quarter-finals. Galthie’s side, who have already beaten New Zealand, Uruguay and Namibia, are likely to face South Africa, Ireland or Scotland in the last eight of the tournament.