If he is the undisputed leader of the XV of France, Antoine Dupont knows that he must not rest on his laurels.
More than a year after the heartbreaking elimination against South Africa in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, Antoine Dupont is preparing to resume his place in the French XV. The Toulouse scrum half, ten days after reuniting with the Blues in Marcoussis, will guide Fabien Galthié's troops on Saturday against Japan for the first test of the Autumn Series. And it is an understatement to say that the French players, in difficulty during the last Tournament, are awaiting the return of their playing master with a certain impatience.
Antoine Dupont discovered new faces when he arrived in Marcoussis. A breath of fresh air, highlighted by the former Castres during an interview with Sud Radio. “ Looking at the dates of birth of certain players in the French XV list makes me feel oldconfided the Toulouse resident on this subject. They have had very good results with the young French teams and it is normal that they are called up with their performances in the Top 14. Nolann (Le Garrec), Emilien (Gailleton), Théo Attissogbé, Paul Costes from us who will happen too…”
Antoine Dupont likes competition
The native of Lannemezan focused in particular on the case of Nolann Le Garrec, presented by some as his successor in the French scrum. But Antoine Dupont does not intend to leave the helm anytime soon. “I have already worked with Nolann Le Garrec at the 2023 6 Nations Tournament, where he made a score sheet,
he confided about the Racingman, adding: “Even though he wasn’t home at the time, he came to train with us several times. As soon as there is a quality player in your position, it pushes you to try to be better, to surpass yourself on a daily basis.
Expected to lead the Blues at the next World Cup, Antoine Dupont does not rule out continuing until 2031, the date of the World Cup in the United States.
“I don’t know, I didn’t plan at all. I'll see what state my body is in by then and how my head is too. This is what tells you if you continue or if you stop playing at a given moment,” he confided on this subject.
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