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 that.he 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 turning the tide of a match with a flash of genius, with a single action. He knows how to adapt and learn again, his time in rugby sevens 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 which has just passed, I do not believe that he can be number one. In my opinion, there is one element that cannot be overlooked, and that is the disappointment of the World Cup for the France 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 take part in this kind of little game, 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 one of the finalists. »
