one year later, the return of the X factor

The return of the national hero. If his teammates from the XV of France returned to the Stade de France this Saturday a year after the disillusionment of the quarter-final lost to the Springboks, Antoine Dupont returned to the scene of his Olympic exploits, concluded brilliantly on July 27. Three and a half months after his Olympic coronation and his tour de force in the final against the Fijians (two tries and an assist in seven minutes), the scrum half was welcomed as it should be. A long ovation when his name was announced and regular cheers at each of his interventions. “I wasn’t lost, I quickly found myself” in this Dyonisian enclosure, he smiled before this match against Japan.

The scrum half and captain of the Blues was playing only his fourth match of the season, after a spectacular start against Clermont (a hat-trick in 9 minutes) and two starts against Pau and Toulon with Stade Toulousain. And he quickly found his feet with the Blues of the XV, associated at the hinge with his club teammate and usual full-back, Thomas Ramos. With some new additions at his side, notably a pair of new centers Yoram Moefana-Emilien Gailleton. And to smile: “We feel a new energy, with a new staff and quite a few new players who are almost starting to make us feel old!”

“Permanent threat”

On the pitch, the number 9 of the Rouge et Noir has lost none of his activity, always glued to the ball and at the heart of the game. Effective and capable of creating danger at any time (93 m gained, 8 defenders beaten). A small entry failure, when he was blocked by a clearance which put his team under pressure. Ultimately without consequence. But he then quickly recovered, constantly energizing the Blues' game, creating shifts like this “chistera” pass inside a grouping for Tatafu (14^e) or this winning combination, at the start of the alignment, for Mauvaka's try (34^e). The Japanese Naikabula was also able to realize his strength in the fight, when he had a ball kicked (22^e).

Eddie Jones was not wrong before the match when he said that the best player in the world in 2022 is “a permanent threat”. Antoine Dupont – who could even have scored a try in the 49th^e minute, without a prior advance from Attissogbe – was once again the guide of this XV of France on a stroll in Saint-Denis facing the Japanese who were overwhelmed from the start and totally overwhelmed afterwards. The Blues scrum half, also author of a huge breakthrough which led to Boudehent's try (57^e), resumed the thread of its adventure with the XV of France, now launched in the quest for a first world title, in Australia in 2027. With its X factor, closely held by all the defenses but still as dominant. Fair choices, maximum efficiency. “I find it hard to believe that I am not very good or average,” advances the Toulouse. A winning return before the upcoming clash against the All Blacks next Saturday. The step will be much higher.