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Antoine Dupont

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Antoine Dupont (born 16 November 1995) is a French professional rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for Top 14 club Toulouse and captains the French national team.[1][2] Dupont has won the World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year award in 2022 and a shared record of three Six Nations Player of the Championships, the most by a French player. He has won nine major competitions in his career: four Top 14 titles, two European Rugby Champions Cup, the Grand Slam of the Six Nations Championship, the 2023–24 SVNS and the gold medal at the men's rugby sevens tournament of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.[3][4]

Early life

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Dupont was born in Lannemezan but grew up in the nearby village of Castelnau-Magnoac where he started playing rugby for Magnoac FC at the age of 4. In 2011, he joined Auch as a junior.

Club career

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In 2014, Dupont joined Castres in the Top 14 after the relegation of Auch in the 2013–14 Rugby Pro D2 season. In November 2016, Stade Toulousain announced Dupont's recruitment for the 2017–18 season.[5]

In 2019, Dupont won the Top 14 with Toulouse after defeating Clermont Auvergne 24–18 in the 2018-19 final. In May 2021, Dupont won the European Rugby Champions Cup with Toulouse after defeating La Rochelle 22–17 in the 2020-2021 final. As captain, he lifted the trophy after the final whistle.[6] In the same year, Toulouse completed the domestic and European double winning the Top 14 for the 2nd time beating La Rochelle 18–8 in the final.[7]

International career

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In 2016, Dupont was selected for the France U-20 team for the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship. He was one of the stars of the tournament scoring 36 points which included 5 tries.[8] In November 2016, he was selected for the French Barbarian team which played and beat Australia.

Dupont was called up to the French first team for the first time ahead of France's fourth 2017 Six Nations Championship match against Italy as a replacement for Maxime Machenaud.[9] He made his debut in that game coming on for Baptiste Serin in the 72nd minute of an eventual 40–18 away win.

In 2020, Dupont was named Player of the Championship during following the 2020 Six Nations Championship.[10]

In 2022, Dupont was named as France's stand-in captain in the absence of Charles Ollivon. Later that year, France won the 2022 Six Nations Championship, achieving the Grand Slam as a result. This was France's first Six Nations Championship win since 2010.[11] Dupont was awarded Player of the Championship for the third time.[12] Though France did not win the 2023 Six Nations tournament, Dupont claimed his third Player of the Championship trophy, equalling Brian O'Driscoll as the only player to win the award three times.

He is the third French captain after Fabien Pelous and Thierry Dusautoir to have beaten Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. He was selected to captain the 34-man squad for France as they hosted the 2023 Rugby World Cup.[13] They would advance past the Pool stage, however they exited the tournament in the quarterfinals after losing to eventual winners South Africa.

In November 2024, he led France to a third consecutive win over New Zealand during the 2024 Autumn Nations Series. This equalled France's all time record for consecutive wins over the All Blacks.[14]

France 7s

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During the 2023/24 SVNS season, DuPont helped France 7s win the Los Angeles tournament and later the Madrid tournament. By winning the latter, France 7s became champions for the first time in history. He was absent for France 15s during the 2024 Six Nations Championship due to his commitment to France 7s.

During the 2024 Olympics in Paris, he played a key role and scored the last try vs Argentina in the quarter finals. France would reach the final where they would face Fiji and Dupont again shone, scoring and assisting and helping France secure their first ever gold medal in Sevens.

Personal life

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Dupont graduated from high school in 2014, obtaining his baccalaureate in science, particularly biology and natural science.[15] He then completed an undergraduate degree (licence) in science and techniques of physical and sports activities (STAPS) at the Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier University in 2018.[15] After graduation, Dupont attended the Toulouse School of Management, a public management school which is part of the Toulouse 1 Capitole University, from 2018 to 2020 and earned as a graduate a master's degree in sport management.[16][17]

With his two years older brother Clément, he bought and renovated an old rural estate located in his childhood village that belonged to his grandparents. The venue reopened in 2021 and is used for parties, wedding receptions, and other types of corporate events.[17][18]

In addition to his native French, Dupont can speak English.[19]

Commercial endorsements

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An acclaimed and popular athlete, Dupont is one of the highest-paid French players with income of €600,000 per season, as of 2021.[20] In addition to his salary and bonuses, he has endorsements with many brands and global companies, including Adidas, Peugeot, Volvic and Tissot while he was sponsored by Land Rover until 2021.[21][22][23][24] In 2016, he signed a sponsorship contract with the German sportswear and equipment supplier on a deal worth €40,000 per year.[20] In 2022, he became a brand ambassador for retail company Groupe Casino and France state-owned railway company SNCF.[25][26] Additionally, he appeared on the cover of video game Rugby 22 alongside Cheslin Kolbe and Will Skelton.[27]

Other appearances

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Dupont wax figure unveiled in 2023

Dupont has been involved in films and series focused on Toulouse. From 7 November 2020 to June 2021, French filmmakers Éric Hannezo and Matthieu Vollaire filmed a 107-minute black and white documentary feature film Le Stade, which follows the French club during Stade Toulousain's 2020-21 Champions Cup and Top 14 successful campaign, after having shot more than 600 hours of dailies for weeks.[28][29] The movie was theatrically released on 13 April 2022 in France by Pathé and took around 67,000 admissions domestically.[30][31] A sports docuseries of the same name, using unseen footage and containing four 40-minute episodes, was released on the streaming service Paramount+ on 22 December 2022.[32][33][34]

Alongside former rugby union player Sébastien Chabal, Formula One driver Esteban Ocon, astronaut Thomas Pesquet and multiple French artists, he took part in the 2023 Les Enfoirés charity concert edition for the Restaurants du Cœur.[35] The show was broadcast by TF1 on 3 March and had an audience of more than 8 million viewers.[36]

He appeared in the video clip for the song Dernière by French rappers Bigflo & Oli, released in June 2023.[37] A tribute song was also dedicated to him the same month,[38] and a biographical comic book was released in September 2023.[39]

About three months prior to the kick-off of the 2023 Rugby World Cup opening match, a wax figure of Dupont went on display at the Musée Grévin in Paris.[40]

Career statistics

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List of international tries

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No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 16 March 2019 Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy  Italy 3–5 14–25 2019 Six Nations
2 17 August 2019 Allianz Riviera, Nice, France  Scotland 30–3 32–3 2019 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches
3 30 August 2019 Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France  Italy 24–7 47–19 2019 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches
4 21 September 2019 Tokyo Stadium, Chōfu, Japan  Argentina 12–3 23–21 2019 Rugby World Cup
5 24 October 2020 Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France  Wales 12–13 38–21 Test Match
6 19–13
7 31 October 2020 Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France  Ireland 5–0 35–27 2020 Six Nations
8 6 February 2021 Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy  Italy 3–36 10–50 2021 Six Nations
9 13 March 2021 Twickenham, London, England  England 0–5 23–20 2021 Six Nations
10 20 March 2021 Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France  Wales 12–7 32–30 2021 Six Nations
11 12 February 2022 Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France  Ireland 5–0 30–24 2022 Six Nations
12 19 March 2022 Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France  England 23–13 25–13 2022 Six Nations
13 21 September 2023 Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, France  Namibia 45–0 96–0 2023 Rugby World Cup

Correct as of 25 September 2023[41]

International analysis by opposition

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Opposition Played Win Loss Draw Tries Points Win %
Argentina 3 3 0 0 1 5 1.000
Australia 1 1 0 0 0 0 1.000
England 5 3 2 0 2 10 .600
Fiji 1 0 1 0 0 0 .000
Georgia 1 1 0 0 0 0 1.000
Ireland 6 3 3 0 2 10 .500
Italy 7 7 0 0 3 15 1.000
Japan 1 0 0 1 0 0 .500
New Zealand 3 2 1 0 0 0 .667
Scotland 8 5 3 0 1 5 .625
South Africa 4 1 3 0 0 0 .250
Tonga 1 1 0 0 0 0 1.000
Wales 7 6 1 0 3 15 .857
Career 47 32 14 1 12 60 .691

as of 4 August 2023[41]

Honours

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Toulouse
France
France 7
Individual
Orders

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2022 Le Stade Himself Documentary [49]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2022 Le Stade Himself Docuseries [50]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Antoine Dupont Profile". Itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  2. ^ "Stade Toulousain". www.stadetoulousain.fr (in French). Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  3. ^ worldrugby.org. "World Rugby Awards 2021: Men's and Women's 15s Player of the Year unveiled | World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  4. ^ "RUGBY SEVENS - MEN'S GOLD MEDAL MATCH MATCH M34". Olympics. 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Toulouse sign rising star Dupont | Planetrugby.com". Planetrugby.com. 30 November 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  6. ^ "Toulouse edge 14-man la Rochelle for fifth European Cup". RTÉ.ie. 22 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Résultat et résumé Toulouse - la Rochelle, match en direct - Top 14 2020-2021, Finale, Vendredi 25 Juin 2021".
  8. ^ "Antoine Dupont | Rugby.com.au". rugby.com.au. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  9. ^ XV de France : La composition pour l’Italie
  10. ^ "Dupont and Scarratt win Player of the Championship Awards". 6 November 2020.
  11. ^ "Dupont strikes to seal Grand Slam glory for France". 16 March 2024.
  12. ^ "Antoine Dupont named 2022 Guinness Six Nations Player of the Championship". 25 March 2022.
  13. ^ "Rugby World Cup 2023 - France".
  14. ^ McLaughlin, Luke. "Thomas Ramos's boot helps France to thrilling win over New Zealand". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  15. ^ a b Ferrand, Emma (8 March 2020). "Antoine Dupont: "Après le Tournoi des six nations, j'enchaîne avec trois partiels"". Le Figaro (in French). Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  16. ^ Quennehen, Hugo (2 April 2021). "PORTRAIT. Antoine Dupont, rugbyman talentueux et étudiant exemplaire : " C'est vraiment une étoile "". Ouest-France (in French). Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  17. ^ a b Harrington, James (10 December 2021). "Antoine Dupont: World's greatest determined to make every play count". The Irish Examiner. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  18. ^ Balidas, Julien (26 October 2021). "Antoine Dupont et son frère Clément ouvrent le Domaine de Barthas à Castelnau-Magnoac". France Bleu (in French). Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  19. ^ Virgin Media Sport (26 January 2023). Antoine Dupont on a big year for French rugby (Interview). Retrieved 24 April 2023 – via YouTube.
  20. ^ a b Gou, Pierre-Laurent (10 December 2021). "Antoine Dupont, une marque qui se développe". Rugbyrama (in French). Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  21. ^ "XV de France : Antoine Dupont, une image et un atout marketing pour le rugby français". Sud Ouest (in French). 20 March 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  22. ^ "Histoires d'excellence : Antoine Dupont, ambassadeur Peugeot". Peugeot (in French). 24 August 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  23. ^ ""Un tweet absolument maladroit"... Quand Volvic félicite Dupont et supprime son tweet". Rugbyrama (in French). 2 January 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  24. ^ Reyrat, David (11 February 2022). "Réseaux sociaux, performances, sponsors… Romain Ntamack, l'autre tête d'affiche "bankable" des Bleus". Le Figaro (in French). Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  25. ^ "Dupont devient ambassadeur de la marque Casino jusqu'en 2024". Rugbyrama (in French). 17 January 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  26. ^ Mazella, Clément (22 March 2022). "XV de France. Antoine Dupont nommé ambassadeur d'une grosse entreprise française". Actu.fr (in French). Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  27. ^ Goodwill, Jake (2 February 2022). "Rugby 22 is the sport's latest video game let-down". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  28. ^ "La bande-annonce du film " Le Stade " dévoilée". L'Équipe (in French). 8 March 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  29. ^ Alquier, Pascal (23 December 2022). "Les coulisses du documentaire sur le Stade Toulousain, diffusé sur les plateformes de streaming". La Dépêche du Midi (in French). Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  30. ^ Reyrat, David (12 April 2022). "Comment le Stade Toulousain s'est retrouvé sur le grand écran". Le Figaro (in French). Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  31. ^ Reyrat, David (19 May 2022). "Rugby : le film Le Stade fait près de 70.000 entrées". Le Figaro (in French). Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  32. ^ Tracy, Andrew (21 December 2022). "Extra: "Celebrity Island" to Denmark; rugby doc "Le Stade" hits Paramount+". RealScreen. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  33. ^ Jacquin, Gala (22 December 2022). ""Le Stade", la docu-série du Stade Toulousain arrive sur Paramount+". L'Opinion Indépendante (in French). Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  34. ^ "Le Stade, la série disponible sur Paramount+". Stade Toulousain (in French). Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  35. ^ Galinier, Simon (17 January 2023). "Rugby. Le capitaine du XV de France Antoine Dupont est un "Enfoiré"". Actu.fr (in French). Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  36. ^ "" Les Enfoirés " : 8,1 millions de téléspectateurs pour le concert des Restos du cœur sur TF1". Ouest-France (in French). 4 March 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  37. ^ "Toulouse. Quand Antoine Dupont plaque Oli dans un nouveau clip". actu.fr (in French). 18 June 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  38. ^ "[VIDEO] VIDEO. "Allez Toto", avant la Coupe du monde en France, Antoine Dupont a déjà une chanson en son honneur". ladepeche.fr (in French). Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  39. ^ ""Il vit toujours en colloc" : une bande-dessinée dévoile la vie du jeune prodige du rugby français Antoine Dupont". France 3 Occitanie (in French). 26 August 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  40. ^ Baheux, Romain (25 May 2023). "" Voir son double, c'est troublant " : Frédéric Michalak et Antoine Dupont entrent au musée Grévin". Le Parisien (in French). Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  41. ^ a b "DUPONT Antoine - XV de France masculin". FFR (in French). Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  42. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Franco, Vincent (29 March 2023). "6 Nations 2023 - 19 trophées en 6 ans : le palmarès d'Antoine Dupont ne cesse de s'étoffer". Rugbyrama (in French). Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  43. ^ "France captain Dupont eager to enjoy Grand Slam as World Cup looms". RFI. 20 March 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  44. ^ Hamilton, Tom (20 March 2023). "Each Six Nations side's to-do list ahead of the 2023 World Cup: Where do England, Ireland, France stand?". ESPN. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  45. ^ "Dupont inspires France's first Paris 2024 gold". BBC Sport. 27 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  46. ^ a b Reyrat, David (20 November 2023). "Nuit du Rugby : élu meilleur joueur du Top 14, Antoine Dupont rafle (encore) la mise". Le Figaro (in French). Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  47. ^ Mockford, Sarah (6 December 2021). "Antoine Dupont named world's best player by Rugby World". Rugby World. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  48. ^ "Parade des JO: Antoine Dupont reçoit à son tour la Légion d'honneur". BFMTV. 14 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  49. ^ Vau, Alexandre (13 April 2022). "Débuts prometteurs pour "Le Stade", le film du Stade Toulousain qui sort en salle ce mercredi". France Bleu (in French). Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  50. ^ Guerrin, Stéphanie (18 October 2022). "Paramount+ : c'est quoi cette nouvelle plate-forme qui débarque en France le 1er décembre ?". Le Parisien (in French). Retrieved 24 April 2023.

Further reading

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  • Escot, Richard (2022). Anthologie des Bleus (in French). Paris: Éditions Solar. ISBN 978-2263180705.
  • David, Arnaud; Dorian, Jean-Pierre; Espitalier, Nicolas; Harté, Yves; Kappès-Grangé, Denys; Magnol, Thierry; Plagnol, Olivier (2023). 100 Bleus de légende : Les joueurs les plus emblématiques de l'histoire du rugby français (in French). Bordeaux: Éditions Sud Ouest. ISBN 978-2817710006.
  • Bills, Peter (2023). Le Coq: A Journey to the Heart of French Rugby. London: Atlantic Books. ISBN 978-1838956035.
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