Authorized on Friday by his surgeon for “a gradual resumption of physical activity”, Antoine Dupont will join his partners in Aix-en-Provence this Saturday in the early evening. Good news even if there are still many steps to be validated by the captain of the Blues before an effective return to the field, in training and then in competition.
When this one intervenes, will Antoine Dupont wear a mask to protect his operated jaw? “The question does not arise today. This is not good timing. We have not yet broached the subject with Antoine,” replies Bruno Roussagol, the health manager of the French XV. Before adding: “I am not necessarily in favor of it but if Antoine asks us we will study the question”…
On Wednesday, at a press conference, World Rugby leaders assured that the FFR had not contacted them on this subject. “There was no direct discussion with the French team about a mask for Antoine Dupont,” confided the general director of the international federation, Alan Gilpin. Recalling that “the rules and laws of the game are clear regarding masks protecting the face as well as equipment”.
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The technical regulation, which specifies the type of material that can be used, sets “a maximum thickness of 5 millimeters” and prohibits the mask from being made of a rigid material. The effectiveness of such protection can therefore be considered minimal. The very rare precedents confirm its lack of interest. It is therefore likely that Antoine Dupont will do without it when he returns to the field.
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