The French Rugby Federation has confirmed that national team captain Antoine Dupont sustained a fractured cheekbone in Thursday's 96-0 Rugby World Cup win over Namibia.
The Toulouse scrum-half had to be replaced six minutes into the second half of the Pool A encounter at the Stade Velodrome following a head-on-head tackle from Namibia skipper Johan Deysel, who was sent off.
France attack coach Laurent Labit admitted after his side's record-breaking triumph that Dupont's injury had soured the mood, telling the media: "We were happy with the match but it has been a rough night.
"We're not going to overthink it for now, we are waiting for the surgeon's opinion, which will determine the length of Antoine's unavailability. We have 48 or 72 hours to wait.
"We will wait for two-three days to have the opinion of a specialist. It's Antoine and the surgeon who will make the decision and we will respect it."
Les Bleus' fears have now been confirmed, as the FFR announced on Friday that Dupont had picked up a "maxillo-zygomatic fracture", although he would remain with the squad while his length of absence is determined.
© Reuters
"Antoine Dupont has suffered a maxillo-zygomatic fracture. A specialist surgical opinion has been requested to determine the exact length of the player's unavailability. Antoine Dupont remains with the France squad," a statement read.
While it remains to be seen if Dupont will be cleared to play in the knockout stages - where France are set to meet either Ireland or South Africa in the quarter-finals - the 26-year-old will be expected to sit out France's final Pool A game against Italy on October 6.
Fabien Galthie will be expected to bring in either Maxime Lucu or Baptiste Couilloud to deputise for Dupont, whose absence would be a major blow to France's hopes of a maiden World Cup title on home soil.
Dupont has been crowned the Six Nations Player of the Championship three times - including in the 2022 and 2023 tournaments - while he was named the World Player of the Year in 2021.
France had already lost fly-half Romain Ntamack to a knee injury before the World Cup, while lock Paul Willemse had to withdraw from the squad at the start of the month owing to a thigh problem.
Ben Knapton
