As expected, he joined the Blues. Antoine Dupont is present this Monday in Marcoussis, where the XV of France is attacking its second week of preparation for its November tour which begins Saturday evening at the Stade de France against South Africa. But out of the question for the French captain to play in the clash against the Springboks, or even the matches against Fiji (November 15) and Australia (November 22).
Victim of a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee, the scrum half has just completed his return to competition program, which must take place at the end of the month or early December, in contact with his partners in the French team and Fabien Galthié’s staff. The idea is to offer him a competitive framework, while the players at Stade Toulouse, where he officially extended Saturday until 2031, are on vacation due to the Top 14 truce.
No training with the Blues planned for Tuesday
“Instead of training with the crabos (under 18s) from Toulouse, he will do it with us,” said co-trainer of the conquest, William Servat, on Tuesday. No question for the one who resumed rugby workshops with his club at the beginning of October to skip steps. Antoine Dupont must not take part in Tuesday’s session, a high-intensity training session where the upcoming starters against South Africa will work on their adjustments.
His case was obviously the subject of numerous discussions between Toulouse and the Blues staff. A precise program has been concocted.
The right pillar of the Blues, Uini Atonio, is also present at Marcoussis. The La Rochelle player, who had hamstring surgery at the end of last season, is coming to continue his physical preparation, but his return to the field is not expected before the end of December.
In the absence of Antoine Dupont, Nolann Le Garrec is expected to start on Saturday at scrum half. The captain for the November tour has not yet been appointed, but the armband should land on the arm of three-quarter center Gaël Fickou or third row Anthony Jelonch, two executives of Fabien Galthié’s group.