Antoine Dupont, the dynamo of French rugby, won't be dazzling fans against the Springboks this November in Paris. Despite taking his first tentative steps back onto the rugby field, the France captain will be sitting out of the upcoming heavyweight clash with the Rugby Championship titans.
After a seven-month layoff due to a nasty anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained during a Six Nations triumph over Ireland, Dupont has been spotted doing light drills with his club, Toulouse. While the sight of him warming up might have sparked hope for an early return, it's been confirmed that he's sticking to a cautious rehab schedule, only participating in warm-ups before peeling off for solo sessions.
Toulouse insiders have let slip that while Dupont's recovery is on track, competitive play is off the cards until at least December. This timeline mercilessly sidelines him for France's end-of-year run, which includes not only the Springboks but also Fiji and Australia. A source from within the club mentioned, "He's making good progress, but we're not rushing anything. December is realistic for his return to the fray."
"He's making good progress, but we're not rushing anything. December is realistic for his return to the fray."
The absence of Dupont is a blow to Les Bleus, who have become somewhat dependent on his flair and leadership since his debut in 2017. His eventual return to the pitch is expected to be a significant boost, just in time for the Six Nations and a busy club season with Toulouse.
Meanwhile, in other news, despite his sidelined status, Dupont recently made headlines for his outspoken views against the Top 14's salary cap, which he believes is too restrictive. His comments highlight the challenges players face in the league and open up a broader conversation about the financial structures in professional rugby.
As France gears up to face some of the toughest teams in the southern hemisphere, they will have to do so without their star playmaker, leaving fans and teammates eagerly awaiting his return to the sport he lights up so brilliantly.
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Antoine Dupont, the dynamo of French rugby, won't be dazzling fans against the Springboks this November in Paris. Despite taking his first tentative steps back onto the rugby field, the France captain will be sitting out of the upcoming heavyweight clash with the Rugby Championship titans.
After a seven-month layoff due to a nasty anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained during a Six Nations triumph over Ireland, Dupont has been spotted doing light drills with his club, Toulouse. While the sight of him warming up might have sparked hope for an early return, it's been confirmed that he's sticking to a cautious rehab schedule, only participating in warm-ups before peeling off for solo sessions.
Toulouse insiders have let slip that while Dupont's recovery is on track, competitive play is off the cards until at least December. This timeline mercilessly sidelines him for France's end-of-year run, which includes not only the Springboks but also Fiji and Australia. A source from within the club mentioned, "He's making good progress, but we're not rushing anything. December is realistic for his return to the fray."
"He's making good progress, but we're not rushing anything. December is realistic for his return to the fray."
The absence of Dupont is a blow to Les Bleus, who have become somewhat dependent on his flair and leadership since his debut in 2017. His eventual return to the pitch is expected to be a significant boost, just in time for the Six Nations and a busy club season with Toulouse.
Meanwhile, in other news, despite his sidelined status, Dupont recently made headlines for his outspoken views against the Top 14's salary cap, which he believes is too restrictive. His comments highlight the challenges players face in the league and open up a broader conversation about the financial structures in professional rugby.
As France gears up to face some of the toughest teams in the southern hemisphere, they will have to do so without their star playmaker, leaving fans and teammates eagerly awaiting his return to the sport he lights up so brilliantly.