Eddie Jones sounds Antoine Dupont warning after France thrash Japan in Paris
Japan head coach Eddie Jones and France captain Antoine Dupont.
Although Antoine Dupont made an outstanding return to Test rugby as he shone in France’s victory over Japan in Paris on Saturday, Brave Blossoms boss Eddie Jones feels he is not yet at his best.
Dupont was in fine form during a 65-minute stint on the field as he bagged two try assists as Les Bleus cruised to a 52-12 triumph over the Asian outfit at the Stade de France.
The match was Dupont‘s first Test since he played for France in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat to the Springboks, after he opted to miss the Six Nations in order to represent his country at this year’s Paris Olympics.
Had an extended break after the Olympics
After helping France win a sevens gold medal at the Olympic Games, Dupont had an extended break but made a spectacular return for his club Toulouse as he scored a 13-minute hat-trick off the bench in their 48-14 victory over Clermont last month.
And Jones had plenty of praise for the 27-year-old after he pulled the strings in Les Bleus’ victory against his team.
“We gave him far too much time and space,” he told Reuters after the game. “When he gets on the front foot he’s able to attack the defenders.
“He looked sharper and I’m sure with another week of training he’ll be sharper.”
Made an impressive start
Dupont hit the ground running as he was superb from the outset as France raced into a 31-0 lead at half-time.
“We started well, the conditions were perfect,” he told reporters.
“It was a good moment, I’d been expecting it for a few weeks.
“I had good feelings, I was hungry and enjoyed it.”
Dupont and Les Bleus face a mouth-watering task in their next Test, which is against the All Blacks in Paris on Saturday.
