Le Pays De France - Covid-hit France captain Dupont 'doing well', could return for Six Nations

World player of the year Dupont, 25, last played on December 11 after suffering a knee injury and then testing positive for Covid-19 with Italy heading to Paris on February 6.

The scrum-half, who is one of eight members of Les Bleus' squad to have contracted the virus last week, will undergo another test later on Wednesday and could return for Toulouse as they host Racing 92 on Sunday.

Dupont is expected to continue to lead his country during the upcoming tournament with regular skipper Charles Ollivon still out with a knee injury.

"We've had an exchange. He's doing well, he's training every day," Galthie told reporters at the Six Nations' virtual launch.

"Depending on the results, he will or won't play with Toulouse.

"That's the decision of his coach Ugo Mola, and I trust him to make the best decision for the team and Antoine," he added.

Galthie's side welcome Italy to start their campaign on February 6.

The other seven, including half-back partner Romain Ntamack and lock Bernard Le Roux, are also doing fine according to Galthie.

"We exchange with all the players, at a distance of course," Galthie said.

"We have good news about the players and their health and mental state. They're doing well," he added.

Centre Gael Fickou stood in for Dupont at the launch with France at a pre-tournament training camp near Marseille.

On Tuesday, magazine GQ published an edition with Dupont dressed in a over-sized yellow bathrobe in a photo shoot, which has invited joking criticism from former team-mates such as ex-France winger Yoann Huget.

"Everything suits him. It is true that it is a unique uniform," Fickou said.

"It is funny to see him like that, as long as he is enjoying himself that is what is important" he added.

(V.Blanchet--LPdF)