Antoine Dupont set to make Sevens debut
Antoine Dupont is set to make his sevens debut in Vancouver as he begins his pursuit of competing in the 2024 Olympic Games.
Making his sevens debut for France in Vancouver next week will be XVs star and iconic No 9 Antoine Dupont.
Dupont is pursuing his aim of competing in the Olympic Games in 2024 and is taking the first steps in that direction this coming weekend, having skippered France during the Rugby World Cup in 2023.
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ANTOINE DUPONT WILL MAKE SEVENS DEBUT IN VANCOUVER
The 27-year-old is a member of Jerome Daret’s 14-man Vancouver SVNS roster.
Dupont made his farewell appearance for his Top 14 side, Toulouse, in their 46-26 victory over Bayonne, when he scored a try and helped three others dot down. Over the previous two weeks, he has been training with the Sevens squad.
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For the Vancouver SVNS France have been drawn in Pool B with Australia, the United States, and Samoa.
The sevens team’s debut against the USA in their inaugural game will probably be the 2021 World Rugby Men’s 15 Player of the Year. Then, they’ll play Australia and Samoa, in that order.
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France are seventh in the SVNS series standings.
Ahead of their match this weekend against Oyonnax, Toulouse coach Clement Poitrenaud is adamant that his team “knows how to live without” Dupont.
“He was obviously an undeniable asset in these first two matches,” the ex-France outside back said.
“We saw the influence he was able to have, but we are also used to playing without Antoine during these periods.
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“It starts today.
“I want to say that it’s not a problem because Baptiste Germain and Paul Graou are there to replace him, or even Arthur Retière.
“We will obviously miss him but, at the same time, we have to know how to live without Antoine.”
FRANCE SEVENS SQUAD FOR VANCOUVER SVNS
France: Esteban Capilla, Antoine Dupont, Nelson Epee, Theo Forner, Aaron Garndidier Nkanang, William Iraguha, Jefferson Lee Joseph, Stephen Parez-Edo Martin, Varian Pasquet, Rayan Rebbadj, Paulin Riva (c), Jordan Sepho, Andy Timo, Antoine Zeghdar