The Japan Times - France star Dupont makes rugby return for Toulouse

The 29-year-old Olympic gold medallist in rugby sevens came on as a replacement 10 minutes into the second half of the Top 14 clash with Racing 92 for his first appearance since rupturing his cruciate knee ligament playing for France in the Six Nations in March.

Champions and league leaders Toulouse were well in control of the match as Dupont replaced starting scrum-half Paul Graou just after the hosts at the Ernest Wallon stadium had stretched their lead to 22-3 against opponents who had seen hooker Janick Tarrit red-carded on the stroke of half-time for a crazy headbutt to the chest of lock Efrain Elias.

But moments after Dupont entered the fray, Racing wing Wilfried Hulleu gave the Parisians a lifeline with an opportunistic try.

Dupont, who suffered his knee injury against Ireland in the Six Nations, had been training since October as the 24-time French champions' enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign.

They have won seven of their 10 outings and started the weekend two points clear of Pau.

"Straight away he found his footing again," Toulouse assistant coach Jean Bouilhou told reporters on Friday about Dupont's return.

"He's such a talented player, at the highest level. He also has a form of authority over our gameplan.

"I think he'll get back to his best quickly."

This was not the first time that Dupont has had to make a comeback after a serious knee injury.

He suffered another torn cruciate knee ligament in 2018, again during a Six Nations match against Ireland which kept him out for eight months.

T.Ikeda--JT