'Constant threat' Dupont back for France against Japan / Photo: CARL DE SOUZA - AFP/File
'Constant threat' Dupont back for France against Japan
Evolving France face Eddie Jones' struggling Japan in the November internationals on Saturday with superstar Antoine Dupont making his first 15-a-side appearance for the hosts in more than a year.
Scrum-half Dupont helped France to an Olympic rugby sevens gold medal as well as club side Toulouse to a Top 14 and Champions Cup double during his absence from Test rugby following last year's World Cup exit.
Japan coach Jones believes the 27-year-old has improved since his time in sevens.
"He's an outstanding player. He keeps adding to his game all the time," Japan coach Jones told reporters on Thursday.
"He's a constant threat. We respect him as a player but we have to make sure we keep him in close space and that's what we've practised."
Partnering Dupont at half-back this weekend at the Stade de France, where France won the Olympic title and lost to South Africa in the World Cup quarter-finals, will be club team-mate Thomas Ramos, usually a full-back.
Head coach Fabien Galthie has kept faith with Ramos over in-form Bordeaux-Begles fly-half Matthieu Jalibert.
"Firstly it is about their talent, the potential, and their quality," Galthie said.
"But one of the key factors is their collective experience. But of course Matthieu is important for us."
- 2027 vision -
For their first game since this summer's scandal-hit tour of South America, Galthie has made some bold decisions.
He has dropped centre and defensive leader Gael Fickou to the bench for the first time since 2019.
Galthie's first captain when he took charge four years ago, Charles Ollivon, has to accept a role as a travelling reserve.
"Even if they're not on the team sheet, or just among the replacements, we count on them," Galthie said.
"We need their experience as we travel on our vision for the next three years," he added, looking ahead to the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
Jones has made six changes to his side from the 64-19 drubbing by New Zealand two weeks ago.
Naoto Saito starts at scrum-half, facing his Toulouse teammates Dupont and Ramos.
"What you see a lot with Japan players who go overseas is they develop a lot more initiative," Jones said.
"They're more likely to bring forward an idea or adaptation to a game and talk to the players and coaches about that.
"That's what we're seeing with Naoto."
Jones has returned to the Brave Blossoms after being sacked by Australia last year.
The highlight of his first stint in charge of Japan was a historic 2015 World Cup win over South Africa.
Japan have lost five of their eight games so far in his second spell, conceding an average of 37 points per game, including heavy defeats by the All Blacks, England and Italy.
"We want to play a game that takes a lot of courage," Jones said.
"For Japan to beat top teams in the world we can't play orthodox rugby, we have to play differently."
P.J.Cole--MC-UK
