'Hungry' Dupont enjoys rout on 15s return

France star Antoine Dupont said on Nov 9 that he was "hungry" as he provided two try-scoring assists in the easy 52-12 win over Japan on his 15-a-side return.

The 27-year-old had been absent for 13 months as he helped take Les Bleus' sevens team to a historic Olympic gold medal in July.

He was omnipresent as they stormed to a 31-0 halftime lead over a dismal Japan in Paris.

"We started well, the conditions were perfect," said captain Dupont. "It was a good moment, I'd been expecting it for a few weeks. I had good feelings, I was hungry and enjoyed it."

Japan coach Eddie Jones heaped praise on the 2021 World Rugby Player of the Year.

"We gave him far too much time and space," said the Australian. "When he gets on the front foot, he's able to attack the defenders.

"He looked sharp and I'm sure with another week of training, he'll be sharper."

France dominated from the get-go, with five tries in the opening 34 minutes. "Physically we couldn't cope with France's size and power," Jones said.