---
title: "Uncertain wait as France confirms complex facial fracture for captain Antoine Dupont during Namibia clash"
description: "Although it was first feared that France’s skipper may have broken his jaw against Namibia, the French federation has confirmed a facial fracture. It’s still unclear how long he’ll be out for."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "LES BLEUS BRUISED"
author: "Julien Pretot"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/julien-pretot/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-09-22-uncertain-wait-as-france-confirms-complex-facial-fracture-for-captain-antoine-dupont-during-namibia-clash/"
published: "2023-09-22T11:43:50"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 289
---

# Uncertain wait as France confirms complex facial fracture for captain Antoine Dupont during Namibia clash

> Although it was first feared that France’s skipper may have broken his jaw against Namibia, the French federation has confirmed a facial fracture. It’s still unclear how long he’ll be out for.

By Julien Pretot · Published 22 September 2023, 13:43 SAST

## Key points
- France's hopes of securing their first Rugby World Cup title on home soil have been dealt a double blow as their captain Antoine Dupont and flyhalf Romain Ntamack both face potentially lengthy absences due to injury.
- France captain Antoine Dupont suffered a facial fracture during the hosts' record 96-0 victory over Namibia.
- The scrumhalf looks set to miss France’s last Pool A game against Italy on 6 October.
- Les Bleus have won a Six Nations Grand Slam and are favourites for the World Cup on home soil.
- Namibia skipper Deysel was sent abusive messages on Instagram after the incident.

## Content

France captain Antoine Dupont suffered a facial fracture during the hosts’ record 96-0 victory over Namibia at the Rugby World Cup on Thursday night, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) has confirmed.

“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. Dupont remains with the France squad,” the FFR said in a statement on Friday.

![Antoine Dupont of France leaving the field injured at Stade Velodrome. (Photo: Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/5Rr6YVFAyhmuAM90hZqn0_jX470=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/GettyImages-1694401666.jpg)

*Antoine Dupont of France leaving the field injured at Stade Velodrome. (Photo: Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)*

Dupont [sustained the injury in the 46th minute](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-09-22-rugby-france-extremely-concerned-as-dupont-suffers-possible-jaw-fracture/) at the Stade de Marseille on Thursday in a head-to-head clash with Johan Deysel, whose initial yellow card was upgraded to a red.

The sensational scrumhalf looks set to at least miss France’s last Pool A game against Italy on 6 October. He is a major doubt for their potential quarterfinal clash against world No 1 Ireland or defending champions South Africa.

**Read more in Daily Maverick:**[Rugby World Cup News Hub](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/springbok-rugby-world-cup-2023-news-results/)

France are already without their number one flyhalf Romain Ntamack for the World Cup after the Toulouse player suffered a knee injury in a warm-up test last month.

![It is unclear when Antoine Dupont of France is likely to recover from injury. (Photo: Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/NJtJetoKd0AgJemzOuV_C8iBdr4=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/GettyImages-1694402844.jpg)

*It is unclear when Antoine Dupont of France is likely to recover from injury. (Photo: Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)*

Since coach Fabien Galthie took over after the 2019 World Cup, Les Bleus have won a Six Nations by achieving a Grand Slam and have rediscovered their touch. Becoming one of the top favourites for the sport’s extravaganza on home soil, largely thanks to their pair of talented halfbacks.

Namibia skipper Deysel was sent abusive messages on Instagram in the comments section of his posts following the incident, *L'Equipe* reported. Deysel’s Instagram account has since been set to private. **DM/Reuters**