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Six NationsFranceToulouseAntoine Dupont

Fans are waking up with a realisation that France may have the world's best at scrumhalf

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

The 2020 Six Nations has seen a resurgent France win their first two games under Fabien Galthie around a core group of young French talent.

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None more so integral than Toulouse scrum-half Antoine Dupont, who has taken the online world by storm after a dazzling display against England in Paris and again in Rome against Italy.

The 23-year-old is a skillful dynamo with an explosive running game not seen by a scrumhalf in a long time. He has clocked 138 running metres over two weeks, the most by any 9 in the competition, and has the second-most offloads while providing two try assists so far.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8XAkXZA_rN/

The scrumhalf showed Faf De Klerk-like defence by obliterating Willie Heinz from the base of the scrum against England, while his step is as elusive as Aaron Smith in his younger days.

Dupont has been in the national setup for some time, debuting in 2017 against Italy in the Six Nations before turning in an eye-catching performance against the All Blacks in Paris on the end of year Autumn Internationals. Despite his age, there have been calls for Dupont to take over the 9 jersey full time ever since.

After taking over during the Rugby World Cup, Dupont has opened the 2020 Six Nations with growing admiration from fans, being judged ‘best scrumhalf in the Northern Hemisphere’ and ‘the real deal’.

https://twitter.com/Dpotterr97/status/1226532378128134145

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https://twitter.com/HywelDaniel/status/1224066056181944334

The signs have been there for a long time with his performances in the Top 14 now translating to the international level. How long will it be before he is considered the world’s best 9?

Big Jim discusses Ireland or Wales for the Championship?:

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Ed the Duck 32 minutes ago
How 'misunderstood' Rassie Erasmus is rolling back the clock

More bluff and waffle.


You said “roughly half the World Rugby board dispute these splits under the law and this will arise at the May WR board meeting.”.


That will either happen or it won’t. Personally I’m pretty dubious because you can’t back up your assertion that it will happen.

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mJ 39 minutes ago
James O'Connor, the Lions and the great club v country conundrum

JOC for a good while struggled with not being able to sprint flat out, he’s recently said he’s faster than ever or something similar. I doubt that but I’d take it that he’s fit and can hit top speed. Seeing the work he’s doing at the Crusaders with the young 10s and he’s a much loved player in a short time. Seems like a good idea to have him in the Wallabies squad for sure.

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GP 46 minutes ago
James O'Connor, the Lions and the great club v country conundrum

Great comment.

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GP 46 minutes ago
James O'Connor, the Lions and the great club v country conundrum

I just love Andrew Mehrtens and Richie Mo’unga . The 2 greatest and most influential 10’s in Super Rugby history .In Mehrt’s case AB great. Richie was a hamstrung with having Hansen and Foster as coaches.Richie , a brilliant 10 at International level, but will come back and help the AB’s to World Cup glory.

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Connor Nicolas 53 minutes ago
Don't get out over your skis on the Highlanders

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GP 55 minutes ago
James O'Connor, the Lions and the great club v country conundrum

What is your point ? I was praising James up ?

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GP 59 minutes ago
Three pundits analyse the All Blacks hooker position

Why are you so sensitive to what I said ? My point being Samisoni is playing well and is likely to be selected. Brodie McAlister is a “good pick up “ for the Chiefs. As a Crusaders and Canterbury supporter I know that. BUT I think Rob Penney and co can feel totally vindicated in picking Ioane Moananu a head of him. Ioane has been one of the best hookers in the comp . Codie Taylor is the best around and George Bell is on his way back. Penney and co got it right.

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Bv 1 hour ago
'Haves and have nots': The Six Nations numbers reveal hidden truths

Why not have a maximum weight for a pack of forwards

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PE 1 hour ago
Brian O'Driscoll the latest name to back 'brilliant fit' Lions bolter

That would be alot of fun for NZ & SA but absolute torture for the rest of us 🤣🤣

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RedWarriors 1 hour ago
Brian O'Driscoll the latest name to back 'brilliant fit' Lions bolter

True, but those wins would be sweeter when they happened (every 50 years). Maybe have squad evenly divided and have minimums on team (3) as Ikea suggested.

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fl 1 hour ago
England announce assistant coaches for summer tour

Lee Blackett makes a lot of sense as a replacement for Wigglesworth - McGuigan initially makes less sense, given that el-Abd isn’t going anywhere.


However - its seemed for a while like England are a bit thin on the ground in terms of forwards coaches, given Borthwick is doubling up as head coach and lineout coach, and George Kruis is (I think?) a part time consultant.


I wonder if the idea is for McGuigan to take on some of el-Abd’s workload in order for the latter to take on some of Borthwick’s & Kruis’.

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IkeaBoy 1 hour ago
Brian O'Driscoll the latest name to back 'brilliant fit' Lions bolter

That could be fun. Reserve certain spots for certain nations. Just leave it set in stone. Whatever happens, happens. Each pod gets their own specialist coach.


1,2,3 (Wales) - 4,5,6,7,8 (England) - 9,10,12,13 (Ireland) - 11,14,15 (Scotland).


Travel separately, train together. Cut down on the costs.

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IkeaBoy 1 hour ago
Brian O'Driscoll the latest name to back 'brilliant fit' Lions bolter

Yep. 2013 deciding test was basically Wales V Australia as Fatland still couldn’t buy a win over Oz with his adopted nation.


I kind of dropped out totally after 2017 when the AB’s got robbed of a win in the 3rd test.

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IkeaBoy 2 hours ago
Glasgow hit back at Stephen Donald's 'absolutely unfounded' comments

You realise that SR had an average of just 14,910 last season? It used to be over 26,000 (2005). That not decline?


The relatively new URC is up, year on year. 9,500 (21/22), 10,800 (22/23) & 11,070 (23/24).


Jordie knows a good thing.

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PE 2 hours ago
Brian O'Driscoll the latest name to back 'brilliant fit' Lions bolter

That would be an interesting concept, but would mean the SA and NZ tours very difficult to win

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Cora Tate Carpenter 2 hours ago
Mixed Wales update on availability of Josh Adams, Gareth Anscombe

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