Three years after his title of best XV player, Antoine Dupont could be elected best player in the world of Rugby 7 in 2024. The Frenchman is one of the three nominees, notably along with Aaron Grandidier Nkanang.
Antoine Dupont can go a little further into the history of rugby. The captain of the French XV can become the first player to be voted best player in the world in two different disciplines.
Elected player of the year by World Rugby in 2021, and again named among the finalists over the last two years (beaten by Josh van der Flier and Adrie Savea), Antoine Dupont is this time in the running for the title of player of the year in rugby 7s. While the Blues won the world circuit and especially the Olympic Games this summer in Paris, Dupont is the big favorite with his teammate Aaron Grandidier Nkanang, also nominated. Irishman Terry Kennedy is the other finalist for this trophy.
Antoine Dupont, a first for a French player?
For Antoine Dupont, this could be a double first, because no French player has been elected player of the year in men's rugby sevens (Anne-Cécile Ciofani was rewarded in 2021). Until now, only one Blue had been a finalist for this trophy, Virimi Vakatawa in 2016.
For the title of best player in the world at 15, it will be played between the Irishman Caelan Doris and the South Africans Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit. To be complete on the French side, Pauline Bourdon Sansus is also in the running for the title of player of the year at 15. For the trophy for the best international try, Nolann Le Garrec and Marine Ménager are also in the running.
