{"id":338444,"date":"2023-10-13T19:55:15","date_gmt":"2023-10-13T19:55:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=338444"},"modified":"2023-10-13T20:00:37","modified_gmt":"2023-10-13T20:00:37","slug":"ready-to-suffer-france-icons-incredible-comeback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=338444","title":{"rendered":"'Ready to suffer': France icon's incredible comeback"},"content":{"rendered":"

M\ufeffARSEILLE:<\/strong> France icon Antoine Dupont says he is "ready to suffer" in Monday's (AEDT) Rugby World Cup quarter-final against South Africa, after making a remarkable recovery from a broken cheekbone.<\/a><\/p>\n

The world's best player was named to start and captain Les Bleus against the defending champions as France sniffs its maiden World Cup title on home soil.<\/p>\n

The halfback suffered the nasty injury i\ufeffn a head on head collision with Namibia's Johan Deysel three weeks ago.<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch all the action from Rugby World Cup 2023 on the home of rugby, Stan Sport.<\/strong><\/em> Every match ad free, live and on demand in 4K UHD<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

\"Antoine<\/p>\n

Dupont was distraught as a nation feared the worst.\ufeff<\/p>\n

"I thought my competition was over," Dupont told a media throng in Paris on Friday.<\/p>\n

"I had to wait for the tests, the appointment with the surgeon and the operation. Today, I'm at the top of my game, physically and technically."<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Eddie reveals next step after returning to Australia<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Ireland fans, iconic Cranberries hit taking over France<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

READ MORE:\ufeff<\/strong> All Blacks ace axed for Ireland after breaking curfew<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"France<\/p>\n

As recommended by his surgeon, Dupont will wear a "scrum cap" at Stade de France to help protect \ufeffhis face.<\/p>\n

But there will be no place to hide against the uber physical Springboks and Dupont knows there will be pain.<\/p>\n

There has been concern from some quarters that the \ufeff26-year-old has rushed his recovery and could be risking his health.<\/p>\n

NEW PODCAST! Michael Atkinson, Sam Worthington and Tom Decent unpack the latest in the Eddie Jones saga and preview the bumper north vs south Rugby World \ufeffCup quarter-finals<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

https:\/\/omny.fm\/shows\/rugby-world-cup-inside-line\/exclusive-details-on-eddie-jones-future\/embed?in_playlist=podcast&style=Cover<\/a><\/p>\n

\ufeff"I wasn't put under any pressure by the staff. We respected all the deadlines and what was important was how I felt," Dupont explained.<\/p>\n

"In matches with these levels of intensity, there's always pain, whether physical or mental. International matches are always tough.<\/p>\n

"We have to be ready to suffer to achieve what we want\u2026 if we're not ready for that, we're not ready to go where we want to go…<\/p>\n

\"'Rock<\/p>\n

"I feel very well. I haven't felt any pain and that's what reassured me.<\/p>\n

"If I'm playing now it means that I'm feeling well and the doctor has validated my presence."<\/p>\n

Dupont's return was the only change to the France team that smoked Italy 60-7 in Lyon to complete a clean sweep of pool games.<\/p>\n

\"Dupont<\/p>\n

He will oppose \ufeffCobus Reinach at No.9, a surprise pick ahead of regular Springboks starter Faf de Klerk.<\/p>\n

South Africa also reverted to a traditional split of five forwards and three backs in the reserves.\ufeff<\/p>\n

"If we select Cobus or Faf, I don't think there would be a lot of raised eyebrows," Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber said.<\/p>\n

\"South<\/p>\n

"France have got a very interesting kicking game and we feel using those two guys will give us the best opportunity."<\/p>\n

Former Wallabies backrower Stephen Hoiles is tipping France in a clash of the titans.<\/p>\n

"If the French are allowed to play their ad lib, pick and play, offloads… they're going to get a roll," Hoiles said on Stan Sport's RWC 2023 Central<\/em>.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/StanSportRugby\/status\/1712619159438438464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw<\/a><\/p>\n

"Their best I believe is probably better than the Springboks. If both teams get to play an eight out of 10 game, the French probably are just a little bit too classy at the moment.<\/p>\n

"But the Springboks are the best in the world at not letting teams play the style of footy they want. I'm going to stick with France."<\/p>\n

FRANCE (15-1):<\/strong> Thomas Ramos, Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont (c), Gregory Alldritt, Charles Ollivon, Anthony Delonch, Thibaud Flament, Cameron Woki, Uini Atonio, Peato Mauvaka, Cyril Baille<\/p>\n

Reserves:<\/strong> Pierre Bourgarit, Reda Wardi, Dorian Aldegheri, Romain Taofifenua, Francois Cros, Sekou Macalou, Maxime Lucu, Yoram Moefana<\/p>\n

SOUTH AFRICA (15-1):<\/strong> Damian Willemse, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Manie Libbok, Cobus Reinach, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (c), Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff<\/p>\n

Reserves:<\/strong> Deon Fourie, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Faf de Klerk, Handre Pollard, Willie le Roux<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

M\ufeffARSEILLE: France icon Antoine Dupont says he is "ready to suffer" in Monday's (AEDT) Rugby World Cup quarter-final against South Africa, after making a remarkable […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":338446,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/338444"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=338444"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/338444\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":338448,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/338444\/revisions\/338448"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/338446"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=338444"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=338444"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=338444"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}