• FRENCH rugby star Antoine Dupont has been named as the number one player in the world right now, following the release of a new ranking, the world’s ‘Top 100 Men’s Rugby Players 2024’, compiled by leading global rugby site, RugbyPass.

Dupont, the talismanic scrum half, with 55 international caps, has been at the heart of recent successes for France and his club team, Toulouse. Dupont also recently helped his nation win Gold in the Rugby Sevens at this year’s Paris Olympic Games.

In second place is Cheslin Kolbe, who played a crucial role in the Springboks’ Rugby World Cup 2023 win, with his compatriots, Pieter-Steph du Toit, (3rd) and Eben Etzebeth (4th), and with New Zealand star, Ardie Savea, making up the top five.

South Africa has the highest share of players (18), followed by New Zealand (17), Ireland (14). France see 11 players represented. Elsewhere, other nations represented include England (8), Argentina (7), Australia (7), Scotland (7), Italy (4), Fiji (4), Wales (3) and Georgia (1).

The three players from Wales who made the cut are Tomos Williams, who just sneaks onto the list in 99^th place, Dewi Lake in 83^rd position and Jac Morgan with a respectable finish in 57^th. Speaking about Morgan’s inclusion, Welsh journalist Owain Jones said: “In 2024, his growing influence was dimmed due to a knee injury and Wales’ fortunes plummeted. He returned for the Autumn Nations Series where he was one of Wales’ shining lights in a tortuous campaign.”

Commenting on Dupont claiming top spot, former Scotland international Johnnie Beattie, said: “I think that was the only choice. He’s absolutely outrageous every single week and he’s a great boy as well which makes it even better. He’s inspired an entire rugby nation.

“Everyone knows who Antoine Dupont is from his success with Sevens at the Olympics and his success with Toulouse domestically – doing a double again last year, he has been a phenomenon and he still is. I think we’re lucky to get to watch him play every single weekend here in France in the Top 14, but also when he graces the international scene. He’s a pure joy to watch and he’s everything positive that you want in a rugby player.

“The way he gets you out of the seat and his personality off field and the way he leads, all of it, and that’s without even getting into how he actually plays the game. The explosive power that he has for a man of his size, his vision, his ability to see things other people can’t, his rugby IQ, his decision making, his ability to kick off each foot as well as the other, which is unseen. His ability to offload, to jackal, to create turnovers like a back rower, he is the most complete rugby player I think that we have ever seen.”

Despite the heavy Springbok representation, there was also praise from South African legend Jean De Villiers, who said: “If you take Antoine Dupont in isolation and see what he’s done in the past, maybe not the Autumn Nation Series – it wasn’t quite the impact he had previously – and obviously moving over to the Sevens for a stage as well makes it difficult. But, isolating him as a player and having seen what he’s done before, having seen his skillset, his defensive abilities, his rucking ability, his attacking ability, his kicking, his decision making, he really does have everything when it comes to being a number nine. So, let’s just say I’m ‘comfortable’ with him being number one!”

Former French star, Benjamin Kayser who made 47 appearances for this country, said: “Antoine Dupont, for me, he’s a Michael Jordan type of athlete. I’m totally biased of course, but I reckon in 50 years’ time people will talk about how they were a part of the Antoine Dupont era and how they got to see him play live.

“I think it’s the way that he plays. He’s a small man but he’s a silent assassin, he never yells, he never screams, and I think people really respect his attitude. He’s so calm and collected, never mouthy or arrogant, you never see him celebrate, chant, push, or be annoying. He’s just an absolute machine.

“Tell me one other time in the history of rugby where it’s absolutely unanimous from the players, in the northern and southern hemisphere, where everyone will say that he’s the best player in the world – it just doesn’t exist.

“The other week I was surrounded by footballers who knew nothing about rugby but every single one of them knew Antoine Dupont. They know where he plays, his position, what he looks like, it’s just mad.”

Kayser also believes that some French players were a little bit lucky to be ranked in their respective positions. He said: “Grégory Alldritt. I love the bloke, but I think you’re actually being quite generous putting him at 33. He didn’t have his best international season. He’s tired. I love the bloke but maybe in 2023, he would’ve been top 10 in the world, he was outstanding back then.

“I think Charles Ollivon at 43, is way too generous. It’s really nice of the writers but he hasn’t played. He’s been dropped too, so to put him in with the best players of 2024 is questionable.”

Looking ahead, both Beattie and Kayser gave their views on their ones to watch for next year’s list. Beattie, said: “There’s one lad who maybe caught a few eyes during the Autumn Nations Series and I’ve been watching him play for Bordeaux because I work closely on Top 14 rugby – Louis Bielle-Biarrey at 58. He already for me is in the top 30, maybe even the top 20 players in the world…He is a balanced runner and he’s sort of wise in rugby terms way beyond his years as well.”

Kayser says “Wallace Sititi is going to be a phenomenal player for the next ten years. He is an absolute freak of nature and I can’t wait to see him play again. Number 14, for me, is a bit high at this point though. He barely rocked up four months ago, people were only just discovering him last summer.”