It's now official: Anthony Dupont will not participate in the French XV's autumn tour. The French captain, injured in the knee during the Six Nations Tournament against Ireland, continues his recovery and will not return before the end of November. An absence which leaves a considerable void in the squad of Fabien Galthié, especially since the scrum-half position remains marked by uncertainty today.
“Dupont will not be there, but he will be in Marcoussis”
According to several sources, Dupont will still join the group in Marcoussis to supervise his teammates and participate in the preparation for the three November tests, including the highly anticipated rematch against South Africa on November 8 at the Stade de France. A symbolic but important presence for the cohesion of a group weakened by injuries.
"He won't be able to play, but he wants to be with the guys, share his experience, and maintain his connection with the French XV," confided a member of the staff. This is a way for Dupont to stay in the groove before his big return, scheduled for early December, with Stade Toulousain.
Lucu still too fair, Serin back?
But Galthié's puzzle doesn't end there. Maxime Lucu, Dupont's natural understudy, has just returned from a ruptured thumb tendon. His first return to action is scheduled for this weekend with UBB against Bayonne - probably too short to hope to hold his place against the Springboks.
However, Baptiste Serin could well make his big comeback in France. After being taken off injured against Racing 92, the RC Toulon scrum-half's injury is ultimately not serious. "He's ready to play again, and he has the perfect profile to take charge again," says one observer. Good news for the French XV, which lacks the automatisms in this key position.
Dupont absent from the “Objective 2028” list
Other notable information: Antoine Dupont does not appear in the new “Objective 2028” list, unveiled by the French Rugby Federation to prepare for the Los Angeles Olympic Games. A logical absence, the player being still in the rehabilitation phase. On the other hand, several young talents like Nelson Sword ou Romain Fonnicola were selected to build the future rugby sevens team.
A return awaited like a deliverance
A hero of French rugby, Olympic Sevens champion, and the best XV player in the world in 2021, Antoine Dupont remains the face of French rugby. His absence, although expected, weighs heavily in an autumn where Les Bleus will face South Africa, New Zealand, and Japan.
The staff now hopes review it 100% at the beginning of December, to prepare for a winter that promises to be crucial in view of the next 2027 World Cup. In the meantime, Fabien Galthié will have to cope without his playmaker.
