Dupont 'better than ever' before France XVs return

Antoine Dupont has returned "better than ever" to XVs after winning Olympic sevens gold in the summer, says France flanker Francois Cros.

Scrum-half Dupont, 27, has been named captain for France's opening Autumn Nations Series game against Japan on Saturday, in his first game in international XVs since his side's devastating home Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat by South Africa last October.

Having spent 2024 focusing on sevens, the former World Player of the Year set up a try and scored two himself as France beat Fiji 28-7 to win their first gold of the Paris Olympics in July.

"It was something incredible for him and French rugby," Cros said.

"Since he's come back, after having a good break, he's better than what he was before.

"So it's obviously a pleasure to have him back."

After an extended break, Dupont returned last month and scored a 13-minute hat-trick off the bench for Toulouse in a 48-14 victory over Clermont.

Despite missing this year's Six Nations and France's summer tour of Argentina to focus on learning the shortened format, he continued playing for his club side Toulouse when possible, starring as his side won the Investec Champions Cup in May.

He will be partnered by Toulouse team-mate Thomas Ramos, who starts at fly-half in preference to regular 10 Matthieu Jalibert, with Dupont taking back the captaincy from number eight Gregory Alldritt for the match against Eddie Jones' side.

"The question didn't even need to be asked, it's natural to us for him to be captain," Cros said.

"Since he's come back, his standards have been the same if not better. There was no doubt about that subject."

France: Barre; Penaud, Gailleton, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Ramos, Dupont (capt); Gros, Mauvaka, Tatafu, Flament, Meafou, Cros, Roumat, Alldritt.

Replacements: Marchand, Wardi, Colombe, Guillard, Boudehent, Lucu, Jalibert, Fickou.