XV star and iconic No. 9 Antoine Dupont will make his Sevens debut for France in Vancouver next week.
Dupont is pursuing his goal of qualifying for the 2024 Olympics, captaining France at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and taking his first steps in that direction this weekend.
Antoine Dupont to make Sevens debut in Vancouver
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The 27-year-old is a member of Vancouver SVNS' 14-man roster, led by Jerome Durrett.
Dupont made his farewell appearance in the Top 14 side's 46-26 win over Bayonne against Toulouse, scoring a try and helping the other three lead the way. Over the past two weeks he has been training with the Sevens team.
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For Vancouver SVNS, France was drawn in Pool B with Australia, USA and Samoa.
The Sevens team's debut match against the USA will likely be the 2021 World Rugby Men's 15 Player of the Year. After that, they will play against Australia and then Samoa.
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France is 7th in the SVNS series standings.
Ahead of this weekend's game against Oyonnat, Toulouse manager Clement Poitrenaud insists his team “knows how to live” without Dupont.
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“In the first two games he was clearly an undeniable force,” said the former France international outside-back.
“We have seen the influence he can have, but we are also used to playing without Antoine at this stage.
“It starts today.
“I would say it doesn't matter because we have Baptiste Germain and Paul Grau in his place or even Arthur Letière.
“We obviously miss him, but at the same time we have to know how to live without Antoine.”
Vancouver SVNS French Sevens representative
France: Esteban Capilla, Antoine Dupont, Nelson Epe, Theo Foner, Aaron Garndidier Nkanang, William Iragha, Jefferson Lee Joseph, Stephen Pares-Ed Martin, Varian Pasquet, Ryan Lebagi, Pauline・Riva (c), Jordan Sefo, Andy Timo, Antoine Zegdahl
