Antonie Dupont makes France return for quarter-final game against South Africa
Antonie Dupont will return to captain France for the quarter-final against South Africa
©Photo by David Ramos - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
France have received a much-needed boost ahead of the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against South Africa with skipper Antonie Dupont returning to the line up.
Dupont last played for France in the group stage game against Namibia on 21st September and was sidelined with a cheekbone fracture. He made a remarkable recovery after undergoing a surgery and returned to full training on Monday.
His inclusion is only change to the XV made by the Les Bleus from the side that defeated Italy as he is slotted at scrum-half at the expense of Maxime Lucu, who now moves to the bench.
Fabien Galthie has left out Baptiste Couilloud and Melvyn Jaminet out of the matchday squad with Lucu and Sekou Macalou replacing them on the bench. This is the second time in the tournament, Galthie has opted for 6:2 combination on the bench.
France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Thibaud Flmanet, 4 Cameron Woki, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Cyril Baille
Reserves: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Francois Cros, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Yoram Moefana
