Antoine Dupont ‘will be a joke’ of a sevens player at the Olympics
Antoine Dupont of France during the Rugby World Cup Quarter-final 4 match between France and South Africa at Stade de France.
England scrum-half Danny Care believes that Antoine Dupont could easily be the best sevens player in the world next year.
Dupont has confirmed that he will be taking a break from the 15-a-side game to chase his Olympic dream, with France hosting the games in 2024.
The French captain is set to be joined by three of his World Cup teammates, namely Arthur Vincent, Sekou Macalou and one of Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
Antoine Dupont, the perfect sevens player
With the 27-year-old linking up with the sevens team to prepare for the tournament, he will miss the 2024 Six Nations, and while he will need some time to adjust, Care believes that Dupont will be a star on the sevens stage.
“Antoine is the best player in the world, and it is something that obviously means a lot to him, and it’s a home Olympics, so imagine how special that would be,” Care said on the Rugby Union Weekly podcast.
“If anyone could do it and be the best player at the tournament [Olympics], it is him.
“He is the perfect sevens player, and he will be a joke at sevens. He will be incredible; people won’t touch him; he will score tries and set up tries.”
Missing the Six Nations
Care, who played for England Sevens between 2006 and 2008, backed Dupont for making the decision to skip the 2024 Six Nations.
“He is probably going to play in another 10 Six Nations, so it is like ‘can I play in a home Olympics and maybe win a gold medal?'” he added.
“It is a dream for every kid who watched the Olympics. Imagine beating everyone in the world and doing it in your home country, where everyone already loves you.
“He will probably be the captain; he is probably going to win gold; I fully support it.”
Dupont and his Les Bleus teammates are not the only stars from the XVs game who are set to feature at the Olympics, with former Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper also signing up to join Australia sevens.
They follow the likes of Bryan Habana, Sonny Bill Williams, Quade Cooper and others who have made the switch to feature at the Olympics.
READ MORE: Antoine Dupont’s insane trophy haul includes 22 awards
