The Albany Gazette - Returning Dupont brings 'aura' to Galthie's France for Six Nations

Scrum-half Dupont missed last season's tournament as he converted to sevens rugby and then inspired Les Bleus to a gold medal at the Paris Olympics last year.

The 28-year-old poster boy came back to the 15-a-side game in October and has been a crucial part of Toulouse's roaring run to the last 16 of the Champions Cup, having won a domestic and continental double with the club last season.

"He's had a lot of success with Toulouse, he was Olympic champion with France's sevens team," Galthie told reporters at the Six Nations launch in Rome.

"He brings an aura with him which carries the French squad, which is important," the 55-year-old added.

Since his return to the longer format of the sport Dupont seems to have improved his game even further, cementing his position as one of rugby's leading players.

"I think in sevens you have to be good at every skill set," Dupont told reporters.

"I think the ruck is the most important thing I worked at in sevens."

- 'Magical' -

In Dupont's absence, 2022's Six Nations champions France finished second in last year's edition despite suffering a chastening home defeat to eventual champions Ireland in Marseille and drawing with Italy in Lille.

Since then Galthie has taken his side on a scandal-hit tour of Argentina, where two players were arrested in a rape investigation that was later dismissed, and to an unbeaten November international series that included a Dupont-inspired victory over New Zealand.

Along with Ireland, Galthie's side are leading contenders for the Six Nations, which they open against Wales in Paris on January 31.

"It's quite a magical competition," former France captain Galthie said.

"It's difficult to imagine a favourite, even if there is form from recent years.

"Before the start, you don't know what energy the teams will bring.

"It can depend on something small, a referee's decision, a bounce of the ball, some magic from a player in a game or an error.

"Sometimes it changes radically, which is the beauty of the competition," he added.

Dupont's sevens gold medal in front of a packed Stade de France last July propelled the nuggety half-back's profile to a wider public at home and abroad.

He is sponsored by luxury goods brand LVMH and went straight from Toulouse's home Champions Cup game on Sunday to take part in a concert for a national food charity in Montpellier.

"I am just focusing on my current objectives, I have enough stuff to deal with on a daily basis which is to be at my best and improve my game," Dupont said of his off-the-field commitments.

"I try not to lose energy on other stuff. I am able to enjoy some other stuff thanks to rugby but I can keep my energy for the rugby field," he added.

(C.Young--TAG)