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Sevens

Dupont officially named in France Sevens squad with debut imminent

By Josh Raisey

161 days ago

Antoine Dupont of France looks on during France Captain's run ahead of their Rugby World Cup France 2023 match against New Zealand at Stade de France on September 07, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

French superstar Antoine Dupont is on the verge of making his sevens debut after being named in France’s squad for the HSBC Vancouver SVNS later this month.

The 2021 World Rugby 15s player of the year is part of a 14-player squad that will run out at BC Place over the weekend of 23-25 of February.

This will be the long-awaited debut of the former France 15s captain as he strives to make their squad for the Paris Olympic Games later this year.

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In his pursuit to play sevens, the scrum-half has put his international 15s career on ice, and is currently taking no part in the Guinness Six Nations campaign.

After three legs so far in the SVNS series – Dubai, Cape Town and Perth – France sit in seventh place in the overall standings following 9th, 8th and 6th place finishes, respectively. They will be hoping that one of the premier rugby players on the planet will boost their fortunes.

France Sevens men’s squad
CAPILLA Esteban (Aviron Bayonnais)
DUPONT Antoine (Stade Toulousain Rugby)
ÉPÉE Nelson (Stade Toulousain Rugby)
FORNER Théo (USA Perpignan)
GRANDIDIER Aaron (CA Briviste Corrèze)
IRAGUHA William (FFR)
JOSEPH Jefferson Lee (SU Agen)
PAREZ-EDO MARTIN Stephen (Paris Université Club / FFR)
PASQUET Varian (FFR)
REBBADJ Rayan (RC Toulon)
RIVA Paulin (Rugby Club Auch / FFR)
SEPHO Jordan (FFR)
TIMO Andy (Stade Français Paris)
ZEGHDAR Antoine (Castres Olympique)

France Sevens women’s squad
CIOFANI Anne-Cécile (Stade Français Paris)
COUTOULY Mathilde (Stade Toulousain Rugby)
DEZOU Lili (Stade Toulousain Rugby)
DROUIN Caroline (Stade Rennais Rugby)
GRASSINEAU Camille (Stade Français Paris)
GRISEZ Joanna (Stade Bordelais Rugby)
JASON Ïan (Stade Toulousain Rugby)
LOTHOZ Valentine (Stade Rennais rugby)
NEISEN Carla (Blagnac Sporting Club Rugby)
NOËL RIVIER Lou (AC Bobigny 93 Rugby)
OKEMBA Séraphine (Lyon OU)
PELLE Chloé (RC Chilly Mazarin)
ULUTULE Jade (Stade Rennais Rugby)
YENGO Yolaine (Stade Rennais rugby)

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Comments

2 Comments

Jon 156 days ago

Abandoning your team is never a good look but it’s the 1st year post RWC. If you want to scratch a 7s itch, do it now (hometown Olympics a plus). Also France needs better depth at 9/10/playmaker so blood some new players. Jalibert is not good and Ramos is starting to look one dimensional.

GrahamVF 161 days ago

AD is putting all his eggs in one basket. Leaving his team in the doldrums following their disappointment. If there was ever a time when his team mates needed him it’s now. Perhaps that’s why France will never be a really serious rugby superpower. Rugby is all about playing for your team mates. It’s about shared values and putting the team ahead of yourself. It’s rather having a broken finger amputated than missing an All Black tour to South Africa. Dupont is setting himself up for a big come down - and after the Olympics? I played with guys I would go to war with. Do you think the French team mates who got humiliated by Ireland are really rooting for their deserting captain? I wouldn’t be. He may be the best player in the world but he is never going to play in the best team.

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Ardy 2 hours ago

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JD Kiwi 3 hours ago

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Tom 6 hours ago

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Bull Shark 7 hours ago

A 2025 overseas British & Irish Lions XV

Ah. Hogg. The poster boy of the Lions. Who is he related to at RP?

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Tom 8 hours ago

Dupont is a ‘freak’: Ex-All Black on why more 15s players don’t play 7s

He doesn't have the instincts for it having played so much 15s, hence the best 15s player on the planet can't make the starting 7. He's capable of game breaking moments off the bench but his instinct is to play flat and put the other players on crash balls. He's still trying to play 7s like a 15s number 9. Can't actually believe Great Britain aka The Lions couldn't even qualify, what a joke. I wanted to see Adam Radwan play! :(

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RW 9 hours ago

There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

Improve the the chat, block Turlough

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DP 9 hours ago

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Now lets see what happens to the two French “alleged” rapists in Argentina…

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Rob 10 hours ago

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Good

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Bull Shark 11 hours ago

There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

It’s all going to come down to kicking form. I suspect if Libbok shines up on his kicking in training he’d start with DW at 15 and SFM covering 23. Getting yanked if it’s a tight game. But it won’t be long until SFM is the incumbent 10.

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DG 13 hours ago

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RugbyAnalysis 13 hours ago

Why England should take Joe Marler’s advice and build for the future in the front row

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Turlough 13 hours ago

There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

I think SAs problem is one of arrogance. Their boasting and goading before the Irish series was a perfect example of it. Ebens blood covered face is a good reminder of where lack of humility gets you. Hopefully they can proceed with more honour and less arrogance from now on. Pollard kicked 100% versus Ireland and still lost. Change it now.

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MO 13 hours ago

South Africa stun New Zealand as men’s Olympic sevens semi-finals set

SA deserved the win, ABs were error prone and I believe a little complacent. I am assuming a Fiji vs France final, unless the Boks can destoy Dupont’s dream again.

23 Go to comments

WR 13 hours ago

There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

Tough one but I disagree. Putting Libbok in most matches will cost us. Especially against better teams. He just doesn't have what it takes. Aside from his kicking woes, he is a very good player. Pollard are the best option for tough games, but SFM is the best choice for me. He can do what both other players can do. He can play more positions than them. He is the best SA have now and will be for a very long time to come. We have an absolute super star like Kolbe, KLA and Moody in SFM. Time to get him in that 10 jersey and let him show case his absolute class. To let him grow and learn all he can from Tony Brown as we won't have TB for always. Most likely only until 2027. NZ will want him back. Time to cash in and go for broke. ML as an impact player might be a better option unless it's against a top 5 team, then best to have HP on the bench in case. That's not experience that can be chucked away. That would be stupid. We have WLR and DW at 15, HP and SFM at flyhalf. If anything, why not see how ML performs as a a scrum half? I know it's not his usual position, but he can be converted. You can't exchange what (in my personal opinion) is one of the best centre pairings currently in the world for ML or HP. That would be a disaster. No, we need HP at least on the bench playing top 5 in the WR.

35 Go to comments

WR 14 hours ago

South Africa stun New Zealand as men’s Olympic sevens semi-finals set

Well, on X they claim they beat SA by 2-1 and won the series against SA. Nevermind that it's 2 different competitions with completely different players, and a completely different country. AGAIN, they think that talking about it and claiming it, that they are the winners. That they DESERVE IT. Yet, as per usual, they CHOKED AGAIN in the quarterfinals. The Boks had 2 good games. That's it. The French is a different story altogether. They know how to reach a final. 2 games to go for either Gold or Bronze. Good news that, but coming in 4th don't get medals, so the Boks have to get in the final to be assured of a medal. It won't be easy. Only teams that CAN play is still in the competition, not teams that thinks talking themselves into a medal will get them a medal. Fiji is now the favorites would be my guess, but anyone can take it from here. Good luck Boks!! As usual you have my full support💯

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Mzilikazi 14 hours ago

James Horwill: ''You can't tell me the code’s in trouble when you see every ticket's sold.'

Thanks , Brett. It will be a very powerful Lions team, but the WB’s will be stronger too, would be my feeling. I don’t see it being all one way traffic.

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StephenE 14 hours ago

Claims that Ireland-South Africa series has been decided in Paris

Not sure what the logic is… Rugby Sevens is a different discipline to 15 man Rugby so can’t be compared or used as a decider. Series was a draw, unfortunately no deciding match. South Africa are WC Champions and No. 1 in the world rankings, surely that is proof enough that there is no doubt who the better team is.

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Bull Shark 14 hours ago

Dupont is a ‘freak’: Ex-All Black on why more 15s players don’t play 7s

I see shifting from 7s to 15s as a pretty logical and good developmental step for good rugby players. But going 15s to 7s makes little sense for most. Which is why I agree AdP is a freak. Which is why France will win the gold and smash everyone as the rightful no.1 favourites!

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Bull Shark 14 hours ago

‘We let it slip’: Chay Mullins ‘gutted’ after Ireland's Olympic heartbreak

Let the disparagement and abuse BEGIN! Pity Ireland can’t lose without (some fools) feeling sorry for themselves. Attitude determines your altitude.

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WR 14 hours ago

South Africa stun New Zealand as men’s Olympic sevens semi-finals set

My comment disappeared

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