France captain Antoine Dupont was a step closer to playing again at the Rugby World Cup after being cleared on Monday, October 9, to resume full training.
The French Rugby Federation said the surgeon who repaired Dupont's broken right cheekbone gave him a final checkup on Monday. Dupont can start full-contact training, the FFR said.
It has been left up to the coaches now whether the star scrumhalf is fit to lead France against defending champion South Africa in the quarterfinals on Sunday at Stade de France.
Dupont was injured by a head-on-head tackle on September 21 against Namibia. He had surgery the next day and rejoined the team after 10 days to train lightly under medical supervision.
His absence from France's final pool game against Italy last Friday wasn't a problem, as Les Bleus won 60-7. But the Springboks are a hurdle as big as they come. Dupont has also been cleared by World Rugby to wear a soft mask, if necessary.