France fear that Antoine Dupont could miss the rest of the Rugby World Cup with a facial fracture.
The world’s best player was the victim on Thursday night of a rogue tackle by Johan Deysel, that saw the Namibia captain sent off.
Peerless scrum-half Dupont was sent straight to hospital for scans after coming off distraught, amid Les Bleus’ 96-0 thrashing in Marseille.
The French Rugby Federation (FFR) have now confirmed that their inspirational skipper suffered a facial fracture and will see a surgical specialist to determine how much time he is set to miss.
Dupont remains with the France squad as things stand though there are obvious concerns that he may have played his last game at the World Cup.
“Antoine Dupont has suffered a maxillo-zygomatic fracture. A specialist surgical opinion has been requested to determine the exact length of the player’s unavailability. Antoine Dupont remains with the France squad,” the FFR said in a statement on Friday morning.
France lost first-choice fly-half Romain Ntamack to torn knee ligaments in the build-up to the World Cup, and will now hope not to be denied their other stellar playmaker for the remainder of this home tournament.
Dupont’s injury overshadowed a record win for France, comprising 14 tries. Damian Penaud claimed a hat-trick, to move third on his country’s all-time scoring list with 33 at Test level.
Jonathan Danty and Charles Ollivon claimed a brace each, while Thomas Ramos slotted 12 conversions.
Dupont claimed a try of his own before his second-half injury, while Thibaud Flament, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Baptiste Couilloud and Melvyn Jaminet also crossed.
France will face Italy in Lyon on October 6 to complete their pool stage business, after which a quarter-final will clearly be forthcoming - likely against either South Africa or Ireland in Paris on October 15.
