Antoine Dupont, nominated for the World Oscar of the ceremony, looked back on this unforgettable year 2024 on Monday evening before projecting on the November tour.
Does it still mean anything to you to receive personal distinctions?
Yes, it's always nice and it also proves that I can maintain my level of performance. More generally, this kind of trophy allows me above all to remember the trophies of the season with the Stade Toulouse or the French 7s team. This year, 2024, it was nothing but happiness.
You find the XV of France after spending a few months away from the fold of the French selection. How did your teammates welcome you at Marcoussis?
It went well… I just had the right to a very slight hazing on my return: they made me do the war cry at the end of the first training session. […] I hadn't been away for ten years, either. I didn't feel lost.
You will also find the captaincy of the French selection, during this autumnal break. Did you talk about it with your Gregory Alldritt, who succeeded you in this role last year?
I'm proud to fulfill this mission but with Greg, we didn't even need to talk about it. We know each other well enough to be able to ignore that. Whether it's him or me, we will work the same way for the team. Before the staff made their decision, I had anyway told Fabien (Galthié, the coach, Editor's note) that I would respect the choice, whatever it was.
The France team will face Japan on Saturday evening at the Stade de France. What do you know about this opponent?
It's a team that carries the ball a lot, has a very fast pace of play and also has some great individuals, including players from the islands who complement the squad well. […] We know that at the international level, we have no right to relax. There won't be anything more tricky than this match, if we don't approach it in the best possible way. We will therefore have to show our best face at the Stade de France.
You have faced the All Blacks three times in your career. What images come to mind when you remember these meetings?
We lost the first one. However, we won the following two matches at the Stade de France. In the 2021 meeting, Romain Ntamack's recovery from the goal obviously remains a highlight. The atmosphere was quite incredible in Saint-Denis that evening. This success was foundational for us. Behind, there had also been a grand slam…
* This interview was carried out in collaboration with Puressentiel, a brand specializing in well-being and of which Antoine Dupont is the ambassador
