Antoine Dupont has spent the last 18 months operating on a level all of his own in rugby, and yet the France superstar can still hit new heights in this Paris Olympics.
Les Bleus’ talisman will act as his country’s poster boy for the second year running, when France start their Rugby Sevens campaign on Wednesday, against the fancied USA.
Dupont’s face was everywhere last autumn in France, beamed onto any landmark possible right across the country. The Toulouse scrum-half was meant to drag France to World Cup glory in the 15-a-side version of the game.
A broken cheekbone dented the supposed face of the competition, even though a masked Dupont returned to action in typically impressive fashion.
South Africa prevailed in Paris at Rugby World Cup 2023, retaining the Webb Ellis Cup and laying waste all comers.
Dupont still managed to advance his personal standing, even though France fell short.
And now, after steering Toulouse to a Champions Cup and Top 14 double, here is the little general again, this time marshalling rugby’s short format.
Transferring XVs ability to Sevens has proved insurmountable for most, and yet Dupont managed to excel at both versions of the sport last term – and simultaneously.
Helping France to two Sevens circuit titles, as well as dipping in and out of Toulouse’s masterful campaign, certainly represents an unprecedented achievement.
Dupont is simply excellent at every element of rugby: from the physical to the conceptual, from the attitudinal to the aspirational.
Few could embody the Olympic motto of Citius, Altius, Fortius more than Dupont, save to replace the comparative with the superlative.
Dupont is rugby’s best, of that there can be little argument. Should he lead France all the way to gold in Paris, there will not even be a conversation, simply a coronation.
The French have as many issues with kings as the ancient Romans from whose tongue emanates that Olympic motto of Faster, Higher, Stronger.
Claim Sevens glory in this contest however, and Dupont will be feted every inch as regally as any of the royals who once ruled the Versailles roost.
First up in Dupont’s way will be the USA, coached by Englishman and Sevens specialist Mike Friday.
The US team boast a clutch of ex-NFL hopefuls, and no shortage of absolute top-line speedsters, with Perry Baker a bona fide Sevens circuit legend.
Dupont’s presence has had an immediate, transformative impact on France’s Sevens outfit however, so much so that there appears no reason to doubt Les Blues’ gold standard.
Should the Toulouse star avoid injury and hit his usual untouchable standards, then the tournament is in for a genuine treat – and the hosts will be storming towards glory.
Rugby’s much-needed shot in the arm might just be delivered by France’s most recognisable face.
