Antoine Dupont is set to meet a specialist over designing a mask that would allow him to play for France in the World Cup quarter-finals.
France’s captain and gamedriver is in a race against time to play in the World Cup playoffs after suffering a facial bone fracture during the pool match against Namibia.
The injury required Dupont to undergo surgery on Friday evening and a plaque has reportedly been inserted to strengthen his cheekbone as he targets a return to play in the quarter-finals in three weeks.
MORE: Dupont goes under the knife
In the latest update on Dupont’s injury, French newspaper Midi Olympique has reported that he will be consulting with a specialist this week to get a mask moulded to his face.
World Rugby regulations are very strict over players wearing any sort of mask. According to article 12, paragraph 4 of the regulations, any rigid facial protection is prohibited and a mask must not be thicker than 5mm. This is in order to protect players in event of contact with the mask.
The scrumhalf is not the first player to go down this route as former French loose forward Imanol Harinordoquy wore a mask in order to play for Biarritz in the European Cup semi-finals in 2010.
France, currently leading Pool A, are on track to face South Africa in the World Cup quarter-finals after the Springboks were beaten by Ireland over the weekend.
Photo: CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP