Antoine Dupont, Digi Mart USA News: Patrick Arlettaz, the attack coach of the French national rugby team, says Antoine Dupont is physically restored before France’s clash with Fiji. He says the Toulouse scrum-half now shows optimal condition, and the staff sees its captain back at a complete level.
Asked about the last Six Nations, Arlettaz recalled the particular context. According to him, Dupont was coming back from a serious injury and lacked preparation, and he believes the scrum-half carried that injury through the competition.
For the attack coach, the problem was not Dupont’s technique. He pointed instead to insufficient physical condition after very few matches back from injury.
He stressed that the time needed to regain all his sensations after such an injury should not be underestimated.
Despite this, Dupont continued to influence the French game, the staff said, thanks to his ability to compensate physically through his talent. Arlettaz noted, however, a real difference compared with the level shown today.
Arlettaz’s tone is now clearly more enthusiastic. According to him, Dupont is evolving at 100% athletically, so the French team regains a player who is complete both physically and technically.
He added that the scrum-half remains technically above the rest.
The comments come as France prepares to host Fiji in Lyon in the Nations Championship, a fixture the staff already considers very important to stay at the top of the Northern Conference. Arlettaz also said he does not see the match as mere preparation for what comes next.
Beyond Dupont’s individual case, Arlettaz welcomed the partnership in the back line. He noted that Dupont and Romain Ntamack will start together for the first time in many months, and that both have been highly competitive since the end of last season.
He also pointed to the enthusiasm the pairing generates among supporters.
He declined to fix a final hierarchy, citing the depth of options at scrum-half and fly-half and noting that injuries often dictate selections more than theoretical planning. Regarding Fiji, he urged caution, recalling difficulties in the previous meeting despite a large early advantage, and stressing the need to win collective contests.
Finally, Arlettaz highlighted the importance of the Nations Championship for the group, noting popular enthusiasm and players’ interest in the standings. He said French internationals want to win trophies and respond to that added motivation, so the staff approaches the Fiji match with seriousness and ambition.
