After Europe, the world?
Named best player on the continent last season, Antoine Dupont is now in the running for distinction on a global scale.
The scrum-half of the XV of France, captain of the Blues on this November tour in the absence of Charles Ollivon, is part of the list of nominees for the title of best player in the world in 2021 unveiled by World Rugby on Monday.
The Toulouse Stadium player, who turns 25 this Monday, will compete for this honorary distinction with the English second row Maro Itoje, the captain of the Australian team Michael Hooper and another Wallaby in the person of the center Samu Kerevi.
The quartet, which has no All Blacks, was shortlisted by a panel of nine personalities from the world of rugby, including former New Zealand captain Richie McCaw or the Blues, Thierry Dusautoir.
The latter is one of the only two Tricolores to have received this prize, in 2011, with the current coach of Dupont, Fabien Galthié, distinguished in 2002. Internet users are called to vote from November 15 to 21 for a trophy that will be submitted on December 10.
Big names.
Big performers.
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Time to reveal the nominees for Men's 15s Player of the Year, in association with @Mastercard #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/QXpxg27ORH
- World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 15, 2021
Two Habs, Caroline Boujard and Laure Sansus, are they nominated for the title of best player in the world of the year 2021. Blues and Bleues will face New Zealand on Saturday.
Fabien Galthié's men will challenge the All Blacks on Saturday night at the Stade de France, while the French will challenge the Black Ferns, which they dominated on Saturday in Pau (38-13), in Castres.
