One more trophy to his collection. This Sunday evening in Monaco, Frenchman Antoine Dupont was crowned best 7s player in the world at the World Rugby Awards in Monaco. Gold medalist this summer in Paris with the Blues, he brilliantly succeeded in his Olympic challenge. He who had put his career on hold with the XV of France, before a convincing return during the autumn tour this month.
His coach during the Olympic Games, Jérôme Daret, was also named best coach of the season, a reward combining sevens and fifteens. At the head of the Blues since 2017, the 49-year-old withdrew from the France team after the gold medal. He now holds the position of general manager of the national 7s teams. Also Olympic champion, Aaron Grandidier is part of the typical team.
In rugby union, South African Pieter-Steph du Toit was awarded the trophy for best player in the world. He is ahead of two of his compatriots: Eben Etzebeth and Cheslin Kolbe. The category is based solely on international matches, Antoine Dupont was therefore not preselected.
The female essay of the year for Marine Ménager
If no Frenchman is part of the typical team of the year, Nolann Le Garrec received an award. The Racing 92 scrum-half won the trophy for the best try of the year. He scored it against England during the Blues’ victory in the Six Nations Tournament (33-31). He had concluded a formidable collective sequence during which France had climbed 50 m.
“It was a brilliant action with François (Cros) who steals this ball into touch and Leo (Barré) who gives me this beautiful gift, reacted the winner to The Team. In France, in front of our home crowd against the English, it was incredible to score a great try like that. It’s a French try, with a little French flair. It’s great. »
The French international Marine Ménager received the same distinction among women. Last September, during a defeat against Canada (46-24), they were at the conclusion of a superb collective effort. The opener Lina Queyroi found a 50-22 and immediately played the touchline for Marine Ménager, overtaking the entire North American defense.
England full-back Ellie Kildunne was crowned best XV player thanks to her 14 tries in 10 matches with the Red Roses. She is notably ahead of Frenchwoman Pauline Bourdon-Sansus, one of the rare tricolors to have survived a mixed year. The latter is also part of the typical team of the year.
