Antoine Dupont, thunderclap in sight?

A little over a year after the terrible disillusionment in the form of elimination of the French XV in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup, Antoine Dupont is on the verge of achieving a new personal revenge. Gold medalist with the French rugby sevens team during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the French scrum half is in the running to be crowned world player of the year in the category, at the World Rugby Awards which is taking place Sunday evening.

Embarked on the adventure with France 7 immediately after leaving the 2023 World Cup, Antoine Dupont fulfilled his contract by winning this famous medal. He is one of three named in his adopted category, alongside his teammate, Aaron Grandidier Nkanang, as well as the Irishman, Terry Kennedy. If the Stade Toulousain player were to be crowned, it would be like a bolt from the blue in the oval world since he would become the first rugby player already crowned best player in the world in XV, to also be so in VII.

Not the only tricolor in the running

Winner in 2021, Antoine Dupont hoped to be able to compete again this year on the side of the XV, but World Rugby judged that his absence during the last VI Nations Tournament did not allow him to be in the list of four named. Never mind, the French international will perhaps make up for it with style on the VII side, he who nevertheless shone brightly in 2024, with a Top 14 and a Champions Cup pocketed with Stade Toulousain , without forgetting a success in a world tournament with France 7 in addition to Olympic gold.

Sunday evening in the Salle des Étoiles of the Principality of Monaco, Antoine Dupont will not be the only Frenchman aiming for a trophy since his compatriot Pauline Bourdon Sansus is named among the women. As for Marine Ménager and Nolann Le Garrec, they are in the running in the category of the best essay of the year. The tricolor could well be out.