Antoine Dupont’s influence on the fortunes of his club and country have been nothing short of transformative.
The talismanic 27-year-old scrum-half for France and Toulouse has etched his name into rugby history with his remarkable performances, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest rugby union players of his generation. Not for nothing has been named the Guinness Men’s Player of the Championship on three occasions since 2020.
One need only watch the highlights reel below to see the pivotal moments that have defined his career. Dupont’s lightning speed, vision on the field, and extraordinary playmaking abilities have made him a fan favourite - and a nightmare for opponents. His prowess was recently on display when he led Toulouse to Heineken Champions Cup victory against Leinster, further solidifying his status as a rugby legend.
However, Dupont’s absence from the 2024 Guinness Men’s Six Nations – in which many would say his absence was keenly felt - has left many fans wondering where the man was. The answer lies in his ambition to represent in his country on home soil at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris. Already he has shown that he can weave his magic in the abbreviated form of the game.
Until Dupont helped them to the HSBC SVNS in Los Angeles in early March, France’s last sevens title was 19 years ago. On the weekend, he steered them to the top in Madrid, and earned himself the Player of the Tournament award. Dupont’s dedication to his Olympic dream reflects his unyielding commitment to representing France. While fans will watch with great interest how he performs during the Olympics – the sevens kicks off on 24th July - the anticipation for his return to the French XV after the summer will only heighten their excitement for what’s to come.
