Antoine Dupont is considering a move to Japan

Following the confirmation that Antoine Dupont will miss the 2024 Six Nations, there have been rumours circulating in France that he could skip the 2025 competition as well.

The legendary scrum-half plans to take up sevens in the new year, teaming up with the French team to compete in the abbreviated version of the sport in a bid for Olympic glory.

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ANTOINE DUPONT COULD MISS 2025 SIX NATIONS AS WELL

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Dupont will not play in the Six Nations since he is playing in the SVNS series legs in Los Angeles and Vancouver in February and March.

This is because his ultimate goal is to fulfil his lifelong ambition of participating in the July 26–August 11 Paris Olympics.

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L’Equipe has revealed that Dupont is considering the possibility of travelling to Japan after the conclusion of that tournament.

The 27-year-old may play for just a short stint in Asia. It is being referred to as a “freelance” chance, or maybe more accurately, a sabbatical not too unlike what All Blacks players have often done.

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That would both make it uncertain if he would play in the 2025 Six Nations and cost Toulouse their undoubted star.

Didier Lacroix, the president of Les Rouge et Noir, hinted last week that Dupont would take a break after the Olympics to recuperate.

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“If the kid is flushed, and he has the impression of not having had a break for a while, we will ask the question of his recovery afterwards,” Lacroix said.

“And that involves everyone, the Federation, Stade Toulousain. The absence of Antoine Dupont, how do we manage it? With what regulations? There is no World Cup joker there.

“If Antoine Dupont cuts two or three months, what’s going on? Are we looking for a joker for that duration? No, it doesn’t exist.”

CONTRADICTIONS

On the other hand, Midi Olympique see things differently and have revealed that although Dupont could take a sabbatical following the Olympics, he will not be continuing his career in Japan.

They anticipate that he will be eligible for the Six Nations, which would be a huge plus for Fabien Galthie, the head coach of Les Bleus.

The scrum-half and his representatives debated playing in Japan, but in the end, they opted against it, according to RMC Sport.

With reports contradicting each other we will have to wait and see what happends with Dupont.