Dupont to front Boks with scrum cap? France to treat skipper's RWC return 'intelligently'

The France rugby team's medical director Bruno Boussagol said on Monday they will take an "intelligent" approach to captain Antoine Dupont's return to full training before this weekend's World Cup quarter-final

The 26-year-old scrumhalf had surgery on a fractured cheekbone last month but will be able to take part in contact sessions in the build-up to Sunday's last eight tie with holders South Africa.

Dupont was on Monday given the green light by his surgeon to return to full sessions with the squad, days out from the highly-anticipated match at the Stade de France.

"Everything went very quickly because he didn't suffer any after-effects from his trauma," Boussagol told reporters.

"The pre-requisite of his being to return to contact training was the agreement of the surgeon.

"Last week he did individual contact with conditioning coaches, everything was monitored.

"He will train normally, but we will do it intelligently," he added.

READ | Springboks welcome prospect of dangerous Dupont for crunch World Cup QF: 'He's a wonderful player'

Dupont to trial scrum cap? 

Boussagol said the halfback has been considering wearing a scrum cap for this weekend's game.

"We're working on it, he's already tried that type of protection," Boussagol said.

"There are two aspects that are essential with wearing a scrum cap.

"His vision nor his hearing can't be affected by it.

"There's a lot of noise in the stadium and Antoine communicates a lot.

"They are two things that need to be evaluated and tested during training," he added.

Maxime Lucu deputised at No 9 for Dupont in their final pool game against Italy, with Baptiste Couilloud coming off the bench in the 60-7 victory.

Dupont's importance to France is highlighted by his record as captain - he is