Shaun Edwards is confident that France skipper Antoine Dupont will feature in Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final between the hosts and South Africa, the defending champions.
Writing for the UK’s Daily Mail, Edwards expresses his excitement that Dupont has been cleared by his surgeon and is available for selection to face the Springboks in Paris.
The Englishman highlights the importance of Dupont’s fitness and readiness for the physically imposing South Africans, noting that the 26-year-old has maintained his muscle mass during his recovery from a fractured cheekbone.
He emphasises the scrumhalf’s leadership, and as a defence coach, Edwards plans to work extra hard to prepare Dupont for this weekend, particularly focusing on tackling work since he has not experienced contact for a few weeks.
LISTEN: Les Bleus on red alert for brutal Boks
WOODWARD: France to send Boks home
“What’s important is he hasn’t lost any weight. He was able to take on yoghurts and protein shakes the morning after his injury which was vital because he’s so ripped, and that muscle disintegrates if it’s not fed. There’s not an ounce of fat on him,” Edwards writes.
“He’s been in and around camp, training on his own with the fitness guys. We’re confident he’ll be able to play against the Springboks on Sunday.
“Given the level of player he is, I would back him to go straight into the team. He’s a leader.”
Photo: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP