Dupont named World Rugby Player of the Year

DUBLIN (AFP): Antoine Dupont on Friday became the first Frenchman to win World Rugby’s Player of the Year since Thierry Dusautoir in 2011.

The 25-year-old France scrum-half and skipper has been instrumental to the form of a vastly-improved national side.

A deft passer of the ball and fast off the mark, Dupont’s supreme covering and support play saw him cross for three tries in last season’s Six Nations.

Handed the captain’s armband for the November Tests, he led France to three wins, including a first over New Zealand (40-25) on home soil since 2000.

Dupont saw off competition for the award from Australians Michael Hooper and Samu Kerevi and England and British and Irish Lions lock Maro Itoje.