ANTOINE Dupont has been cleared to face Munster in the Heineken Cup opener at Thomond Park on Sunday week.
The French captain was due to miss the fixture after picking-up a red card against South Africa, but he successfully appealed the eight-week ban this week, having it reduced by two weeks – which frees him for their trip to Limerick next week.
Former World Player of the Year Dupont (26) received a red card for taking his former teammate Cheslin Kolbe out in the air during the sides’ epic battle in Marseille.
He was suspended for France’s subsequent win over Japan and Toulouse’s Top 14 meeting with Lyon last weekend.
The presence of Dupont will significantly strengthen the 2021 champions as they return to Ireland after beating Munster in last year’s quarter-final, before losing to Leinster at the Aviva Stadium a week later.
Munster will face Edinburgh tonight in a URC showdown.
