In Rueil-Malmaison
He is the object of all eyes. Less than three weeks after his fractured right cheekbone, Antoine Dupont returned to training this Tuesday. With opposition and contacts. In what condition? With what degree of apprehension? And with what objective? Starting the quarter-final against South Africa on Sunday evening? Take a seat on the bench? To be exempt?
The answers came. No protection (neither mask nor helmet) and no real apprehension given the big collision with Matthieu Jalibert during the warm-up exercises. No protection… at the start of the session. When the session increased in intensity, however, the person concerned put on a helmet.
And, if we are to believe the usual game of bibs, the captain of the XV of France will start Sunday evening at the kick-off of the quarter-final against South Africa. Maxime Lucu, who had taken over as interim against Italy, had returned to the team of understudies, with white bibs.
There was little time to find out more about Antoine Dupont’s level of commitment, with journalists being asked to leave the side of the pitch at the end of the regulation quarter of an hour as the opposition session against the Racing 92 Espoirs began. only to be in full swing. “There were no instructions from the coaches to protect him. Antoine trained completely normally. We found it the same as usual,” said pillar Reda Wardi.
For the rest of the French composition against the South Africans, no surprises. Cyril Baille, Peato Mauvaka and Uini Atonio should form the first line, Cameron Woki and Thibaud Flament to be associated in the second line. The third line should consist of Anthony Jelonch, Grégory Alldritt and Charles Ollivon. The Toulonnais who could return the captain’s armband to Antoine Dupont. The scrum half would thus form the hinge with Matthieu Jalibert.
Classic behind also with the pair of Danty-Fickou centers, the revelation Louis Bielle-Biarrey and the serial scorer Damian Penaud on the wings. And the essential full-back and scorer Thomas Ramos in number 15.
The probable line-up against South Africa: Ramos – Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Bielle-Biarrey – Jalibert, Dupont – Alldritt, Ollivon, Jelonch – Flament, Woki – Atonio, Mauvaka, Baille