The Médipôle Clinic on Rue de Girons in Toulouse was the centre of the rugby universe last Monday as Antoine Dupont finally underwent surgery on the right knee he so badly damaged in Dublin on Saturday, 8 March.
If there was a feeling of déjà vu, it was because five years ago he underwent the same surgery on the same knee on the same cruciate ligaments.
However, in 2018 it was solely the cruciate ligament that was damaged, this time the meniscus and the collateral ligaments were also affected.
Dupont decided to stay in the French camp following his injury suffered in the match against Ireland, and his severely swollen knee did not prevent him from lending his support to the squad.
With a protective boot, he collected his Six Nations Championship winner’s medal and helped lift the trophy after victory against Scotland at Stade de France.
Following the operation on Monday morning, he returned home the next day and sent a post on Instagram offering his thanks for the thousands of goodwill message he had received and also reassuring fans that the operation had gone well.
A long period of rehabilitation now awaits, with the recovery period calculated as between six and nine months.
The previous injury seven years ago kept him out of action between February and October. But you can be assured that Antoine and his medical team will be working hard on a daily basis to ensure the safest and speediest recovery possible.
The Rugby world will undoubtedly be all the poorer for his absence, particularly at this time, the business end of the season, with Toulouse gunning for European and Top 14 titles.
But hopefully there are plenty more miles in the tank for the man from Lannemezan.
Read Antoine Dupont’s story in my latest book Behind Enemy Nines available via the link for only £5.99 post free.
Mike Pearce Rugby 