Antoine Dupont on course to complete remarkable World Cup recovery after returning to training with France

Antoine Dupont has rejoined the France squad, as he is set to make a miraculous recovery from surgery on a damaged cheekbone.

France’s World Cup hopes were dealt a body blow, only for their talismanic captain to look like he is about to defy the odds by making it back in time for the knockout stages.

Dupont trained separately from his team-mates today, as he will not take contact until he passes further medical tests.

The outstanding scrum-half may not feature in France’s final pool game against Italy in Lyon on Friday night, however, should Les Bleus advance to the quarter-final, as expected, Dupont could wear a facemask and complete his remarkable comeback.

As Dupont is also following the return-to-play protocols after suffering a concussion in the collision during the win over Namibia, he must complete those, as well as get the green light from the doctors in terms of his cheekbone.

The 26-year-old was said to be in good form at France's training base this afternoon, as ran through a few drills to lift the hopes of the host nation.