Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'He's the one we're going for' - Ireland will target 'world's best player' Antoine Dupont

By PA
Antoine Dupont/Getty via PA

James Lowe openly admits Ireland will be gunning for the “world’s best player” Antoine Dupont when France visit Dublin. Scrum-half Dupont became the first French winner of the Guinness Six Nations Player of the Championship in 2020 and has received widespread adulation for his electric performances.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ireland must beat Les Bleus on Sunday to keep alive their title hopes and New Zealand-born wing Lowe is under no illusions about the dangers posed by the opposition’s star man.

“Dupont is a common theme into everything that goes well with this French side,” said Lowe, who qualified for his adopted country through residency rules in November.

Video Spacer

Simon Easterby breaks down Ireland’s prep for France:

Video Spacer

Simon Easterby breaks down Ireland’s prep for France:

“He’s an amazing player. To me, the world’s best player at the moment.

“I saw that (New Zealand scrum-half) Aaron Smith actually just came out and said openly he’s watching Dupont, what’s he’s done for Toulouse and this French side.

“He’s the key man and someone that we have to try to limit his damage. He’s the one we’re going for.”

While 24-year-old Dupont inspired France to a thumping opening-weekend win over Italy, Ireland must play catch-up after Peter O’Mahony’s early red card proved costly in a damaging defeat against Wales.

Lowe made his Six Nations debut in Cardiff and has gone from infrequently watching the competition on television when arriving home from late nights out to being “addicted” to it.

ADVERTISEMENT

Asked if the Six Nations had been on his radar before leaving his homeland to join Leinster in 2017, he replied: “No, to be quite frank.

“I didn’t watch the FPL (Premier League football) either but now I am addicted – I am addicted to both of them.

“Unfortunately due to the time difference – unless you’re coming home from town at three o’clock in the morning – you’re not catching too much of it live.

“It’s an amazing competition. There is so much at stake every single game and it’s awesome to be a part of.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Having established himself as a key player for his province, Lowe was thrust on to the international stage by head coach Andy Farrell, making his debut in the Autumn Nations Cup.

Lowe injury
Leinster wing James Lowe. (Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

He played in a win over Wales and defeat to England but was forced on to the sidelines by a groin injury suffered in training, before eventually winning his third cap in Sunday’s 21-16 loss at the Principality Stadium.

Lowe feels “ready to rumble” following the frustration of his enforced absence.

“It was bloody annoying. It was a little niggly one. I had two steps forward, one step back throughout the course of the eight weeks of rehab,” he said.

“They weren’t working very well together, my knee and my groin. It was just a tedious enough progress. But I am back, fully fit and ready to rumble.”

Elevation to the national team has brought increased scrutiny and Lowe was singled out by former England wing Chris Ashton for being “too big, too heavy, too slow” following Ireland’s 18-7 defeat at Twickenham in November.

Lowe accepts criticism comes with the territory but insists he is not particularly concerned by opinions originating outside the Irish camp.

“He’s probably one who has actually been there but 99 per cent of people who voice their opinion, they’re not the ones I care about, or worry about,” Lowe said of Ashton’s remarks.

“There is a group of men in here who have set out on a mission to achieve something and we’ll tell each other square to the face.

“It’s a professional environment based on performance and we’re all in here going in the same direction, trying to to achieve the same thing, so that’s all that really matters.”

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

S
SK 27 minutes ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

The way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.

24 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Tyrone Green decision has huge bearing on his international future Tyrone Green decision has huge bearing on his international future
Search