Dupont Returns as France’s Captain for Six Nations Opener Against Wales
Paris, January 31 – Antoine Dupont is set to lead France as captain in their Six Nations opener against Wales this Friday at the iconic Stade de France. The 28-year-old scrum-half, who took a break from last year’s tournament to focus on rugby sevens ahead of the Paris Olympics, makes a highly anticipated return to the squad.
Dupont’s decision paid off, as he played a key role in securing a gold medal for France in the World Rugby Sevens Series and was crowned World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year.
Adding to the excitement, fly-half Romain Ntamack also returns after recovering from a serious knee injury that kept him out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup and last year’s Six Nations.
Despite missing star winger Damien Penaud due to a toe injury, France enters the tournament in top form, having secured impressive wins against Japan, New Zealand, and Argentina in the autumn internationals. They now aim to replicate their 2022 Grand Slam triumph.
Jean-Baptiste Gros, Peato Mauvaka, Uini Atonio, Alexandre Roumat, Emmanuel Meafou, François Cros, Paul Boudehent, and Gregory Alldritt.
Pierre-Louis Barrassi and Yoram Moefana pair up in the center, while the back three consists of Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Theo Attissogbe, and Thomas Ramos.
With a six-two split on the bench, France has opted for extra forward strength among their replacements.
Thomas Ramos; Theo Attissogbe, Pierre-Louis Barrassi, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont (captain).
Jean-Baptiste Gros, Peato Mauvaka, Uini Atonio, Alexandre Roumat, Emmanuel Meafou, François Cros, Paul Boudehent, Gregory Alldritt.
Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille, Georges-Henri Colombe, Hugo Auradou, Mickaël Guillard, Oscar Jegou, Nolann Le Garrec, Emilien Gailleton.
With their captain back at the helm, Les Bleus will be looking to make a strong statement in front of their home crowd as they kick off their Six Nations campaign.
