FRANCE are up against South Africa in a huge Rugby World Cup quarter-final tonight.
Antoine DuPont will be hoping to lead his side to an historic semi-final against England.
But the Springboks will be out to defend the title they won four years ago.
DuPont, however, is only just returning after picking up a facial injury in the win over Namibia on September 21.
And against South Africa, he’s got head gear on after being cleared to play.
Why is Antoine DuPont wearing head gear?
There was talk that DuPont would wear a protective mask for his comeback after the injury he picked up against Namibia.
DuPont then had to miss the rest of France’s pool games.
“The option of wearing a helmet was indeed discussed. We’re working on it. He has received and has tested this kind of protection equipment,” said France’s medical director Bruno Boussagol.
“There are two key points: his vision and hearing shouldn’t be affected. These two parameters need to be tested in real conditions.”
World Rugby’s head gear regulations have some pretty strict specifications.
“Areas outside designated zones of coverage do not have to meet impact requirements but must be of soft foam or leather and be less than or equal to 5mm in thickness,” it reads.
“Where this overall thickness consists of padded material covered by fabric, 5 mm is the maximum measured thickness for the combination of the uncompressed padding and the fabric.”
But it looks like DuPont has opted for a scrum cap instead.
