SO, IS Antoine Dupont the greatest rugby player of all time? Well, who better to ask than the man who has repeatedly been lauded with that title-Sir Gareth Edwards.
Dupont's latest heroics - inspiring France to Olympics Sevens gold has seen some hail him as not just the best in the world right now, but the best there has ever been.
Wales and Lions legend Edwards who, of course, performed in the same scrumhalf position is a huge admirer of the three-times Player of the Six Nations and 2021 World Player of the year.
"Over the last three or four years, I have been invited out to Paris to make various presentations to Antoine and I have enormous respect for what he has achieved," Edwards told The Rugby Paper. "You have got some great players around the world and we are fortunate enough to be able to switch channels and see them all in an afternoon.
"But he is the one that really has a buzz about him.
"I think the game has gone a bit stale in some respects, especially around the back of ruck and scrum where it's wait, wait, wait, pick the ball up, hoof it in the air and everyone chases it. But he is different to that.
"You don't know where he is going to pop up next or what he is going to do. He is not predictable and that's what I like about him.
"You have got to beware when he is around and constantly keep an eye on him. He gets into attacking positions where you least expect him.
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin August 04, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin August 04, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
