France

Les Bleus wary of ‘wounded’ Italy

Head coach Fabien Galthie has cautioned France against underestimating Italy ahead of their decisive World Cup Pool A match on Friday.

New Zealand's openside flanker Dalton Papali'i (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring a try during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between New Zealand and Italy at the OL Stadium in Decines-Charpieu, near Lyon, south-eastern France, on September 29, 2023.

‘Devastated’ Italy burn All Blacks memories

Italy have healed their shattered confidence after the capitulation against New Zealand by throwing their unhappy memories “into the fire” ahead of their must-win World Cup clash with France.

(From L to R) France's scrum-half Maxime Lucu, France's fly-half Matthieu Jalibert and France's lock Cameron Woki celebrate the victory during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and New Zealand at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris on September 8, 2023. (

Dupont-less France near full strength

France have made just two changes to their starting lineup for their final Pool A match against Italy in Lyon on Friday.

Italy shake up backline for France finale

Ange Capuozzo has reverted to fullback as Italy named a reshuffled backline for their crucial Pool A clash against hosts France in Lyon on Friday.

France's scrum-half Antoine Dupont takes part in a training session at the stade Georges Carcassonne in Aix-en-Provence on October 02, 2023, during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup. / ALTERNATE CROP - ALTERNATE CROP

Dupont to seek surgeon’s go-ahead for return

Antoine Dupont will be assessed by the surgeon who operated on his fractured cheekbone before staff decide if he can return for a possible World Cup quarter-final.

France's scrum-half Antoine Dupont clears the ball out of a ruck during a training session as part of France's national rugby union team's preparations ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, in Marcoussis, south of Paris, on July 28, 2023.

Watch: Dupont on the ball at training

Antoine Dupont looks ready for action after the France captain rejoined the World Cup hosts’ squad following surgery on a fractured cheekbone a week ago.

France's scrum half Antoine Dupont (L) grimaces next to France's loosehead prop Cyril Baille during a training session in Marcoussis, south of Paris, on March 15, 2023, as part of the preparation for the Six Nations Rugby Union tournament match between France and Wales scheduled for March 18 in Paris.

Dupont back in France camp

France captain Antoine Dupont has rejoined the World Cup hosts’ squad a week after undergoing surgery on a fractured cheekbone, the French federation have announced.

epa09836853 France's Antoine Dupont looks on during the Six Nations rugby match between France and England in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, France, 19 March 2022.

Dupont ‘pretty confident’ of playoff return

The latest update on France captain Antoine Dupont is “reassuring”, according to team doctor Bruno Boussagol, who said he hoped for a “quick return” to World Cup action for the talismanic scrumhalf.

(FILES) Namibia's outside centre and captain Johan Deysel (R) is tackled by France's outside centre Gael Fickou during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and Namibia at the Stade de Velodrome in Marseille, southern France on September 21, 2023. - World Rugby announced on September 26, 2023 that the Namibia captain has been suspended at least five matches after his uncontrolled tackle during the 2023 World Cup on France captain Antoine Dupont who received a broken jaw as a result. World Rugby announced on Tuesday. The suspension is to last six matches, but it can be reduced to five matches if the Namibian center three-quarter agrees to participate in a tackling training program, the world rugby body said in a statement.

Namibia’s Deysel hit with long ban

Namibia’s Johan Deysel has been suspended for at least five matches for the brutal tackle on Antoine Dupont that resulted in the France captain suffering a fractured cheekbone.