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Dupont officially named in France Sevens squad with debut imminent
By Josh Raisey
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.
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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.
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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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.
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.