Coupe du Monde de Rugby 2023 - Antoine Dupont (XV de France) : Is He a Starter, or Will We Witness an Unexpected Twist?

 Coupe du Monde de Rugby 2023 - Antoine Dupont (XV de France) : Is He a Starter, or Will We Witness an Unexpected Twist?

Coupe du Monde de Rugby 2023

The countdown is on with just 48 hours left until the much-anticipated team announcement, and the rugby world is buzzing with excitement. However, the real surprise seems to be less about whether Antoine Dupont will be on the field to face the Springboks and more about the composition of the bench.

As anticipated, the 15 minutes of high-intensity training open to the media on October 11th confirmed the direction of the week. The French team, led by Galthié, has never been known for keeping secrets. Their focus is squarely on the upcoming quarter-final clash against the reigning world champions, and understandably, they have more important matters on their minds than hiding their team lineup.

The immense surprise this week would be if Antoine Dupont does not take the field against South Africa. Once again, he's displayed an astonishing ability to perform seemingly effortlessly under his black helmet, which is generously adorned with Troncon-style holes around the ears. The only player still unavailable at this stage of the competition is Julien Marchand, who continues to be hampered by the injury sustained during the opening match. Nevertheless, he remains hopeful of rejoining the squad for a potential semi-final.

Macalou Instead of Jaminet on the Bench?

Regarding the quarter-final, it appears that the rest of the starting XV is unlikely to change following the standout performance against Italy. Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who has been on fire since the start of the tournament, is expected to retain his position on the wing, displacing Gabin Villière. Anthony Jelonch will wear the number 6 jersey instead of François Cros, who will find his place on the bench. The only real uncertainty is concerning the composition of the finishers' bench, which is evidently yet to be decided. There is still temptation to opt for a reinforced 6-2 formation, potentially bolstered by Sekou Macalou, to counter the formidable "bomb squad" of South Africa, akin to the match in Marseille in November 2022.

This potential game of musical chairs could spell uncertainty for Melvyn Jaminet, whose presence might have been considered almost certain due to his kicking abilities. However, Yoram Moefana, who made a strong entrance against Italy and offers versatility, could snatch the remaining spot. Whatever the outcome, the final verdict and the white smoke of certainty will have to wait until Friday.

The anticipation is palpable, and rugby enthusiasts worldwide are holding their breath to see if Antoine Dupont takes the field in this crucial encounter. Will it be a showdown for the ages or will an unexpected twist await us?

As we inch closer to the highly-anticipated clash between the French XV and the reigning world champions, the intrigue surrounding the team composition continues to build. Antoine Dupont's performance and the composition of the bench are the key talking points, leaving rugby fans around the world eagerly awaiting the final decision, set to be unveiled on Friday.