‘There’s generational and then there’s Antoine Dupont’ – France star delivers again as ‘The Martian’ produces otherworldly display

Toulouse, France. 05th May, 2024. © PHOTOPQR/LA DEPECHE DU MIDI/LAURENT DARD ; TOULOUSE ; 05/05/2024 ; DDM LAURENT DARD RUGBY DEMI FINALE DE LA CHAMPIONS CUP AU STADIUM DE TOULOUSE INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP STADE TOULOUSAIN EN ROUGE CONTRE HARLEQUINS EN NOIR

Antoine Dupont may already be one of the greatest to have ever played the game despite the scrum-half not yet turning 28.

Only a Rugby World Cup win eludes a player that has done pretty much everything else in the game, inspiring Toulouse to both domestic and European success, and France to a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2022.

Dupont once again produced a stunning performance on Friday to help Les Rouge et Noir lift the Top 14 title for the fourth time in five years.

Dominant display

The 27-year-old played a key role as Ugo Mola’s men absolutely demolished Bordeaux-Begles 59-3 in the showpiece event.

It was a demoralising night for UBB but that was mainly due to Dupont and his team-mates, who did the tormenting.

His second try was particularly special as a fine team move put the France superstar in space. Dupont still had plenty to do but he brilliantly chipped the ball over the top of international team-mate Maxime Lucu and raced ahead to touch down.

As Planet Rugby features editor Jared Wright stated: “This was special from Antoine Dupont: The Martian.”

There was unsurprisingly plenty of reaction on social media as fans, pundits and journalists hailed the remarkable scrum-half.

Dupont can ‘revolutionise the sport’ as Toulouse boss runs out of superlatives for France superstar

Analyst EK Rugby continued with the otherworldly theme, given the France captain’s ability to do the extraordinary.

“It honestly wouldn’t surprise me if Dupont drives to training in a spaceship,” they wrote, while Tight Five Rugby added: “Antoine Dupont does it AGAIN. Enjoy it, the most talented player to ever live.”

‘Once in a century player’

Munster fan and analyst Three Red Kings had high praise for Dupont, labelling him as one of the greatest rugby union has ever seen.

“There’s generational and then there’s Antoine Dupont. A once in a century type of player,” he wrote on Twitter.

Despite the World Cup disappointment, Dupont has enjoyed another incredible year, highlighted by Toulouse winning the double.

He also split his time between XVs and Sevens, but his performances have rather remarkably never dipped in either form of the game.

Dupont now switches his attention to the Olympics where he will hope to win a gold medal for hosts France at the Paris games.

“Antoine Dupont has won a Sevens World Sevens title, the Champions Cup and the Top 14 this season,” journalist Cian Tracey wrote.

“Sevens rookie of the year award.

“Man of the match in the Champions Cup final.

“Man of the match in the Top 14 final.

“Olympic medal next…?”