Why Dupont’s untouchable talent is out of this world

France scrum-half Antoine Dupont has established himself as rugby’s top playmaker. But is he the greatest of all time?

- HARRY LATHAM-COYLE

Unanimity is tough to find in the parochial, pestiferous realm of sporting debate but there is one question to which a consensus answer is increasingly being agreed. Ask just about anyone in rugby about Antoine Dupont and their response will end up at the same destination, perhaps preceded by a stunned silence or a stream of superlatives.

“He’s the best player in the world,” France No 8 Gregory Alldritt affirmed on Friday night after Dupont’s starring role in the Six Nations win over Wales. Toulouse teammate Jack Willis went a step further following Champions Cup glory last year: “He’s probably the best rugby player of all time.”

A few detractors remain, particularly in the southern hemisphere where Dupont has hitherto been seldom sighted, but rugby has perhaps never seen a game-bending talent quite like the scrum-half. France have often been ruled by their petit generals, but the 28-year-old possesses a command, confidence and creativity beyond that of just about anyone to have held an oval ball.

Jonah Lomu inspired awe and launched rugby into a new era; Dan Carter was a perfect 10 of immaculate standards; Eben Etzebeth and Richie McCaw’s relentless excellence have been the bedrock of double World Cup-winning sides. Yet there is something different about Dupont.

Captain, leader and playmaking pivot, he assumes just about every duty for France as they chase more silverware to garland their golden generation. His sevens stint proved how he can transform a team’s culture – he may not have been the hosts’ best pure player at Paris 2024 but like all sporting greats, he has an ability to conjure a moment of magic out of thin air. There are some in France who feel his sevens sojourn may have made him even better.