XV of France: Namibian captain apologizes after Dupont's injury

Europe 1 with AFP // Photo credit: David Rogers / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / Getty Images via AFP 16:10 p.m., September 22, 2023, modified at 16:10 p.m., September 22, 2023

'I didn't want to hurt him': Namibia captain Johan Deysel apologised on Friday after injuring French captain Antoine Dupont, who suffered a broken jaw and is uncertain for the rest of the Rugby World Cup. "It's clear that I didn't want to hurt him. Everything happened very quickly and I couldn't place my head fast enough, which resulted in a shock to the head. I know the rules and I knew right away that I was at fault," Deysel, 31, said in a statement relayed by World Rugby.

"I sent my best wishes and apologies to Antoine"

"I spoke with coach Fabien Galthié immediately after the match and I sent my best wishes and apologies to Antoine, personally and through the France team doctor. He is a great player and a great personality and I wish him a speedy recovery," added the Namibian three-quarter centre. Following a high tackle, in the 46th minute of the match France - Namibia (final score 96-0), the former player of Colomiers (ProD2) had received a yellow card, transformed into red by the refereeing body.

>> READ ALSO – World Rugby: Antoine Dupont suffers from a "maxillozygomatic fracture" but remains in the group

Released from the field immediately for concussion protocol, Dupont (26 years, 51 caps) suffers from a "maxillozygomatic fracture", according to the diagnosis communicated Friday by the French Rugby Federation (FFR). The indispensable scrum-half of the XV de France returned to Toulouse to consult specialists and thus assess the duration of his unavailability. He is for the moment maintained in the French squad, said the FFR.