While Antoine Dupont received the green light from his surgeon to play in the quarter-final against South Africa on Sunday (9 p.m.), Julien Marchand should not be present. At a press conference this Monday, Bruno Boussagnol, the health manager of the French XV, gave news of the hooker who suffered a hamstring injury against the All Blacks at the start of the competition. “Julien Marchand will gradually gain strength this week. But it is unlikely that he will be in the group against South Africa.
Bruno Boussagnol also explained that Marchand “stayed in the group because there was a real chance of seeing him on the field again before the end of the World Cup”. Announced unavailable between 4 to 6 weeks, the Stade Toulousain hooker could make his return a little later. “His return is possible if we ever qualify for the semi-final,” concluded the health manager of the French XV.
