HE IS BACK. The man everyone was waiting for took his place among his family again on Sunday. Not yet on the field with all his teammates, obviously, but Antoine Dupont was there at the training of the XV of France, where we could also see Maxime Lucu putting on the chasuble of the probable starters for the next match against ‘Italy.
Picture of the day
It is of course the presence of Antoine Dupont at the Georges Carcassonne stadium in Aix-en-Provence, Sunday, during the two training sessions on the Blues program. The captain of the French team, authorized on Friday by the surgeon who operated on him to “resume progressive directed physical activity”, according to the terms of the FFR press release, first carried out small races, before have a little fun with the ball in hand. The Blues health manager Bruno Boussagol and the physical trainer Gaëtan Boissard did not let go of him one step.
In the afternoon, Dupont continued his efforts in a tent, all smiles on his Wattbike, chatting in particular with Raphaël Ibanez. “A lot of things have been said about whether he should resume or not. He came back, he did what he had to do. He had a protocol, he followed it. We’ll make a point. I follow what I am told and I trust medical advice,” sideline coach Karim Ghezal said about him a little later at a press conference.
News of the day
A few meters from the captain, the other players were entitled to more intensity. Well, except Julien Marchand and Dorian Aldegheri, managed in the afternoon. Marchand, affected during the opening match against New Zealand, is still much better, since he participated normally in the morning session.
Another lesson of the day, and not the least, it is Maxime Lucu who should replace Dupont as scrum half against Italy. The UBB player wore the blue chasuble of the holders, alongside fly-half Matthieu Jalibert. Louis Bielle-Biarrey as well, which would constitute a second start in a row for the young winger, to the detriment of Gabin Villière. In the third row, Greg Alldritt should make his return, associated with Anthony Jelonch and Charles Ollivon.
The probable composition: Ramos – Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Bielle-Biarrey – Jalibert, Lucu – Ollivon, Alldritt, Jelonch – Flament, Woki – Atonio, Mauvaka, Baille.
Today’s program
Last day in Aix for the Blues, who will train at 4:30 p.m., still at the Georges Carcassonne stadium. They will leave on Tuesday for Lyon, where they must face Italy on Friday for their last group match.