In Aix-en-Provence
This is a first step towards a return. A first green light. Antoine Dupont was authorized this Friday by Professor Lauwers, who operated on him on Friday September 22 for his maxillo-zygomatic fracture, installing two plates, to “resume progressive directed physical activity”. Resumption which will be carried out under the control of the medical staff of the XV of France.
Several steps remain to be taken before hoping for a return of the captain of the Blues to the field. At best for the potential quarter-final against South Africa, Sunday October 15 at the Stade de France. It is highly improbable, if not impossible, to hope to see the scrum half again next Friday, October 6, in Lyon against Italy for the last group stage match of the French XV.
Antoine Dupont, who will join his teammates in Aix-en-Provence this Saturday in the early evening, will now follow an adapted program. From Sunday, he will resume “by riding, that is to say cycling, to get back up to speed,” explained Bruno Roussagol, the health manager of the XV of France. Adding that “the rest will be conditioned on his feelings”.
The rest will first be a re-athleticization phase, the captain of the Blues having been out of action since his injury nine days ago. Then the resumption of rugby, first without contact. Resumption which will be conditional on a new green light from his surgeon. Each of its stages will take more or less time depending on the sensations felt by Antoine Dupont. Pain or not. And not just to the jaw, the shock suffered against Namibia having “necessarily caused secondary lesions”, specifies Bruno Roussagol.
A shock which also caused a concussion. Antoine Dupont will therefore have a neurological check-up next week to assess his condition in relation to this in order to comply with the protocol. In parallel with this gradual recovery, he will, finally, be subjected to “specific jaw rehabilitation work”.
So, when can we reasonably expect his big return to competition? “We are not planning beyond next week,” replies the health manager of the Blues. I am convinced that he will not be back against Italy. For the quarter-final? We cannot yet ask this question. There is so much to validate. We are waiting to see how he will react.
The race against time to be able to play in two weeks, on October 15, continues. A return which will in any case be conditional on a new green light from his surgeon, warned the FFR.
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