In a highly anticipated move, French rugby superstar Antoine Dupont has been named in the 42-man France squad for their upcoming November internationals. The dynamic scrum-half, widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, returns to the national team for the first time since their heartbreaking World Cup quarterfinal loss to South Africa last year.
Dupont’s inclusion is a major boost for Les Bleus as they prepare to face a challenging trio of opponents in Japan, New Zealand, and Argentina. The 27-year-old’s electric pace, sharp decision-making, and fierce competitiveness have been sorely missed by the French team, who will be eager to make a statement on the international stage.
A Golden Return
While Dupont has been absent from the full French setup, he has been far from idle. The Toulouse star recently added an Olympic gold medal to his already impressive resume, helping guide the French sevens team to victory in Paris. His experience and leadership will undoubtedly be invaluable as France looks to bounce back from a turbulent period.
Overcoming Controversy
The French team’s last outing, a tour of Argentina in July, was overshadowed by off-field controversies. Two players were arrested on rape charges, while fullback Melvyn Jaminet was sent home and subsequently suspended for racist comments on social media. Head coach Fabien Galthie will be hoping that Dupont’s return can help refocus the team and put these unsavory incidents behind them.
“Antoine is a world-class player and a natural leader. Having him back in the squad is a huge boost for us, both on and off the field,” a source close to the French camp revealed.
A Near Full-Strength Squad
Galthie has named a strong squad for the November tests, with most of France’s key players available for selection. However, there are a few notable absentees, including fly-half Romain Ntamack, who is sidelined with a calf injury, and hooker Julien Marchand.
The coach has also called up five uncapped players, including Tonga-born tighthead prop Tevita Tatafu, who qualifies for France after five years of residency. Toulouse second-rower Joshua Brennan, Bordeaux Begles’ loose forwards Marko Gazzoti and Pierre Bochaton, and young center Paul Costes also earn their first national team summons.
A Stern Test Awaits
France’s November schedule is not for the faint of heart. They open their campaign against Japan on November 9th, before facing the mighty All Blacks a week later. The series concludes with a clash against an always-dangerous Argentina side on November 22nd.
- November 9th: France vs Japan
- November 16th: France vs New Zealand
- November 22nd: France vs Argentina
All three matches will take place at the iconic Stade de France in Paris, where the French fans will be hoping to see their team rise to the occasion. With Dupont back in the fold and a wealth of talent at their disposal, Les Bleus have the potential to make a major statement ahead of the next World Cup cycle.
As the rugby world turns its attention to the November internationals, all eyes will be on Antoine Dupont and the French team. Can they put their recent troubles behind them and announce themselves as a force to be reckoned with on the global stage? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – with Dupont leading the charge, anything is possible.
