Antoine Dupont, the captain of the Blues, could once again mark the history of rugby in France. The player was selected to become the best rugby player of 2022, along with South African center three-quarter Lukhanyo Am and two Irishmen, third row Josh van der Flier and fly-half Johnny Sexton, who had already obtained this award in 2018.
Author of the Grand Slam in the Six Nations Tournament with the XV of France, which can end the year undefeated if successful against Japan on Sunday during its third autumn test, Dupont is a favorite.
Galthié and Dusautoir already awarded
Before him, two other Frenchmen had been honored with the title of best player in the world: former scrum half and current coach Fabien Galthié, in 2002, and former third row Thierry Dusautoir, in 2011.
Only New Zealanders Dan Carter (2005, 2012, 2015), Richie McCaw (2006, 2009, 2010), and Beauden Barrett (2016, 2017) have been so far.
The best player in the world of the year 2022 will be chosen by a jury made up of former international players, including McCaw, Dusautoir or the Australian Drew Mitchell. His name will be revealed on Sunday at a ceremony in Monaco, where several other prizes will be awarded, including that of coach of the year, for which the tricolor coach Fabien Galthié was named.