Watch: The magic pass by Antoine Dupont that has the rugby world in awe

France took a stranglehold on this year’s Six Nations by beating a highly fancied contender, Ireland, by 30-24 at home in Paris in the second round.

Led by star halves duo Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack, it didn’t take long for the newly crowned World Rugby Player of the Year to make an impact, combining with his flyhalf in the third minute to score the opening try of the game.

The Toulouse scrumhalf has elevated his status to one of the game’s must watch players with the way he is able to produce plays that seem impossible. His latest showing of brilliance was a laser beam of a pass that has stunned the rugby world.

RugbyPass Offload | Episode 20

RugbyPass Offload | Episode 20

Dupont whipped a 25 metre bullet across three Irish defenders after a short step from the ruck. The miss pass from the base of the ruck hit Damian Penaud perfectly on time and on the chest.

God. Look at the pass from Dupont. 🤤 #FRAvIRE pic.twitter.com/nmheXiQfJx

— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) February 12, 2022

One Twitter user noted that referee Angus Gardner had just asked the Irish line, in particular Jamison Gibson-Park, to retreat as they were offside, meaning the defenders were on their heels and unlikely to make a play on the ball for the intercept.

Dupont sees JGP getting moved back and whips the ball across everyone and him

Hansen recovered well#FRAvIRE

— The 2nd Row (@the2ndRow) February 12, 2022

Another noticed the call from Penaud come just before the pass was made with a small hand movement to let Dupont know the space was there for the long ball.

The little signal from Penaud, the worldie of a pass from Dupont. So good#FRAvIRE #SixNations pic.twitter.com/9bz5k6Pu6S

— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) February 13, 2022

The high angle shot shows just how perfect the ball was, flying flat for 24 metres perfectly into the path of the French winger.

Dupont's 24m Left to Right pass from a ruck – this is beautiful skill #FRAvIRE #SixNations pic.twitter.com/S27ykJNT2Z

— Brett Igoe (@brettruganalyst) February 12, 2022

The pass didn’t go unnoticed by fans, with many lavishing praise on Dupont’s skills. One English fan was jealous of the French star, saying ‘Dupont is what we wish Ben Youngs was’.

That pass from Dupont to Penaud 🤤

The offload from Penaud 🤤

There are some ungodly noises being made by me rn #FRAvIRE

— Issie 💙 (@IssieAtch) February 12, 2022

Dupont is what we wish Ben Youngs was #FRAvIRE

— Tim wright (@Timw1983Wright) February 12, 2022

Miss pass off the base seems to be all the rage! And Dupont, perfecting it as expected! #FRAvIRE

— Jack Pike (@JackPik95865642) February 12, 2022

DuPont that pass 👀#FRAvIRE

— Martyn Fowler (@Martyn_Fowler) February 12, 2022

Dupont melts anyone close to his own size. Against forwards, he merely levels them. He's as gritty as he is flashy #fravire

— Roger Grace (@autodidactical) February 12, 2022

The pass from Dupont and then the no look back pass from Penaud. It's just absolute filth and I love it 😍 #FRAvIRE

— Rob Atkinson (@LincolnRamirez) February 12, 2022

Despite the win, Dupont said France isn’t getting carried away as they have been in this position before over the last two tournaments only to have their title hopes derailed by losses to Scotland.

“We’re not going to talk about a Grand Slam for now,” Dupont said.

“We’re going to concentrate on the next match, the challenge we’re expecting,” he added.

They have finished runners up in the tournament on the past two occasions, in 2020 they travelled to Murrayfield with three big wins under their belt and were soundly beaten which ended up costing them the title as England managed to climb back.

In 2021 a tight loss to England in the third round was critical, before a last round upset at home against Scotland confirmed the title would go elsewhere.

“I think we have all learnt from the last two editions where we maybe lost the tournament after defeats to Scotland,” Dupont said.

“We know their team well. We will prepare this match, hoping we will be able to play for something nice in a months’ time.”

France have to play Scotland and Wales away over the next two rounds before a final round clash in Paris against England.