France suffer huge World Cup blow as star man Antoine Dupont ‘fractures his cheekbone’ in 96-0 thrashing of Namibia

• Antoine Dupont was caught by a high tackle from Namibia’s Johan Deysel 
• France coach Fabien Galthie said Dupont may have suffered a fractured jaw
• Damian Penaud scored a hat-trick as France ran in 14 tries against Namibia 
• Latest Rugby World Cup 2023 news, including fixtures, live scores and results

France’s thumping win over Namibia in Marseille was marred by a nasty injury sustained by star man Antoine Dupont. 

The French scrum-half was caught by a high tackle from Namibia’s Johan Deysel, who was given a yellow card which was later upgraded to a red on review. 

Dupont was forced to leave the field for a Head Injury Assessment and local media reported that he was taken to hospital for concussion tests and a scan on a potential fracture.

France coach Fabien Galthie confirmed Dupont may have suffered a fractured jaw.

‘There is a suspicion of a crack or fracture of the maxillary bone,’ Galthie said.

France scrum-half Antoine Dupont was forced to leave the field after suffering a nasty injury

The French scrum-half was caught by a high tackle from Namibia’s Johan Deysel

Deysel (L) was initially shown a yellow card but later saw it upgraded to red on review

France have 13 points from their three wins in Pool A but are not yet assured of a quarter-final place and will have to beat Italy in their final match on October 6.

The match in Marseille was a one-sided contest as expected. 

Namibia were woefully outgunned and came up against a home side willing to run the ball from all parts and in a party mood.

That was set by a raucous 63,486 home crowd at the Stade de Marseille, who were relishing the novelty of seeing the World Cup hosts in action as France take their pool games around the country, on this occasion to the south coast.

Damian Penaud (three), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (two), Jonathan Danty (two), Charles Ollivon (two), Thibaud Flament, Dupont, Baptiste Couilloud and Melvyn Jaminet all crossed the line for the home side to go with a penalty try.

The scoreline beat their previous biggest victory in tests, an 87-10 hammering of Namibia at the 2007 World Cup, and is Franc’s 17th win in a row on home soil, which equals their longest unbeaten run in front of their own fans set between 2001 and 2004.

Thomas Ramos broke the French record for conversions in a single test with 12, while the 14 tries is also a team record on a night when new milestones were set.

‘A tough night at the office and in a way a bit humiliating,’ Namibia coach Allister Coetzee said. ‘A few youngsters needed the experience but I could see in the first 20 minute the boys were a bit flustered.

‘They did things out of character and were not sticking to the plan and that’s just pressure.’

Damian Penaud scored a hat-trick as France ran in 14 tries against Namibia in Marseille

It took them six minutes to get on the scoreboard as wing Penaud crossed for the first of his three on the night, and that opened the floodgates as France crossed eight times in the first half alone.

Dupont was running the show from scrumhalf and at his mercurial best, with a beautiful kick assist for wing Bielle-Biarrey to score as France led 54-0 at halftime.

Namibia thought they had the first score of the second half when Divan Rossouw ran in unopposed after an intercept, but it was disallowed after Deysel had clattered headfirst into the cheekbone of Dupont and was given a yellow card, quickly upgraded to a red on bunker review.

It took the gloss off a near perfect night for the French, who showed all their skill, flair and swagger, but might have lost their chief creator as they seek a first World Cup title.

MATCH FACTS

France: Ramos, Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Bielle-Biarrey, Jalibert, Dupont, Baille, Mauvaka, Atonio, Woki, Flament, Cros, Ollivon, Jelonch.

Replacements: Jaminet for Jalibert (55), Couilloud for Dupont (47), Bourgarit for Mauvaka (55), Falatea-Moefana for Woki (66), Boudehent for Jelonch (55). Not Used: Wardi, Aldegheri, Taofifenua.

Tries: Penaud 3, Danty 2, Ollivon 2, Flament, Dupont, Bielle-Biarrey 2, Couilloud, Jaminet, Ramos. 

Cons: Ramos 12. 

Namibia: Van Den Berg, Mouton, Deysel, Burger, Greyling, Loubser, J. Theron, Sethie, van der Westhuizen, Coetzee, Tjeriko, A. Ludick, Katjijeko, Retief, Gaoseb.

Replacements: Izaacs for Mouton (57), Blaauw for J. Theron (60), Benade for Sethie (52), Nortje for van der Westhuizen (66).

Not Used: Shikufa, van Lill, Hardwick, Rossouw.

Sin Bin: Benade (80).

Sent Off: Deysel (46).

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