Faced with the many offended reactions in France, Eddie Jones clarified his thoughts to us: ” Antoine Dupont is one of the best players in the world, there is absolutely no doubt about thathe explained to us. He has the whole range, in attack, in defense; he influences his team and he is one of those who are capable of reversing the course of a match with a flash of genius, with a single action. He knows how to adapt, to learn again, his time in rugby 7s proves it.
When I was asked to make this ranking, I responded straight away and came up with the first three players that stand out in my mind: Ardie Savea, Richie Mo’unga and Cheslin Kolbe (who all play in Japan, where I am based now, and whom I often see play, much more than Antoine Dupont) but I could have put Antoine on this podium because he is obviously of that caliber.
“In my opinion, there is one element that we cannot hide, and that is the disappointment of the World Cup for the France team”
However, over the season that has just passed, I do not think he can be number one. There is one element that I think we cannot ignore, and that is the disappointment of the World Cup for the French team. I believe that in 2022, the year of France’s Grand Slam in the Six Nations Tournament, I said that Dupont was the best in the world at that time. When we play these kinds of little games, which are always very subjective, we base ourselves on individual talent – and Dupont is undoubtedly very talented – but also on the results of a team, on the context of a season. I believe that the best player in the world, in a World Cup year, should at least be among the finalists. »
