PARIS: French star Antoine Dupont has the capability of drawing in a new generation of fans while also putting rugby sevens firmly in the spotlight, according to ex-France winger Vincent Clerc. Dupont took a gamble of missing the Six Nations to make the French Olympic team, a move many traditionalists criticized.

But the scrum-half went on to help France to two wins on the World Rugby Sevens Series, including victory in the Madrid finals. In between, he skippered his club Toulouse to Top 14 and Champions Cup glory in the 15-a-side code.

“Antoine is an exceptional player and there’s currently no equivalent in terms of putting in performances,” Clerc said Tuesday, a day ahead of the start of the men’s Olympic rugby sevens tournament at the Stade de France.

“He will attract a new, different audience. Sevens has long suffered from the 15-a-side calendar, where it has been very tricky for players to play both codes.” Clerc, capped 67 times by France, added: “Rugby sevens has improved some of Antoine’s skills, even though they were already at a very high level.

“And rugby sevens will benefit from Antoine’s image, his desire to highlight rugby sevens and to show that winning an Olympic medal in rugby is worth the same as the Top 14 title or Champions Cup crown.”

Transition between sevens and 15s

World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said Dupont’s apparent ease at transitioning between 15-a-side rugby and the abbreviated game was unmatched, but should also be encouraged. “It should be possible in the big global-stage moments in sevens and 15s that the players can try and play in both,” Gilpin said.

“What Antoine Dupont is doing is utterly incredible. To make that transition not just once in a season, but to do it back and forth, from being player of the match in the Champions Cup one weekend to then leading France to victory in the sevens grand finale in Madrid, was incredible.

“And again, I think it inspires more players to want to do that.” Clerc agreed that Dupont’s transition had shown the way. “You can see that it is possible for 15s players to play sevens,” he said. “It was considered a sport that was too specific, too tough to transition, but with precise management and intelligent coaching, it’s possible.”

Fanny Horta, who captained the French women’s team to silver in Tokyo, said Dupont “has an aura on the pitch, he’s someone who gives the impression of being calm”.

“He gives confidence to the France team. His teammates have raised their own game since he joined the squad.” Dupont’s presence has certainly boosted the rugby competition, with a 69,000 sell-out crowd for each of the three days of action. — AFP