New footage of Dupont at 19 shows he was always going to be best in world
France scrum-half Antoine Dupont might not actually hold the title of World Rugby Player of the Year, that is Ireland’s Josh van der Flier, but deep down everyone knows that he is the best, even van der Flier himself.
The 26-year-old is now spearheading France’s World Cup charge, where they will arrive at their home tournament as the favourites in many people’s eyes. With Dupont playing at the top of his game, it is wise to back Les Bleus.
Should they win the World Cup, it will not be the first world title for many of the players in the squad as quite a few won the 2018 and 2019 instalments of the World Rugby U20 Championship. Not Dupont though. The No9 came just before the victorious generation, meaning he impressed at under 20 level but never won anything.
New footage has recently been shared online of Dupont playing in the under 20 side and it is clear to see why there was so much hype around him. Even then his game had all the hallmarks of the style that has dominated the rugby world in recent years. Sniping runs, power and a nifty kicking game were all part of his arsenal then, and still remain some of his strengths.
At this moment in time, Dupont can only settle for being the European player of the year, but should France lift the Webb Ellis Cup later this year, he will surely be adding another world Player of the Year title to his collection.
Before then, the World Rugby U20 Championship gets underway later this month in South Africa, where the next Dupont might be lurking.
Take a look at Dupont at 19:
