Who will succeed All Black Ardie Savea as World Player of 2023? One thing is certain: it won’t be Antoine Dupont. As Le Figaro had announced, the Toulouse native has not been selected by World Rugby, which only takes into account international matches. However, due to his Olympic project, he did not take part in either the 2024 Six Nations Tournament or the summer tour of Argentina, only returning to the XV de France and the captaincy two weeks ago for the autumn tour tests against Japan and France. New Zealand.

Voted best player in the world in 2021, this year he has already been named the best player in the world. Champions Cup best player (the European club cup) and Top 14 player of the yearboth of which he won with Stade Toulousain.

On the other hand, Antoine Dupont is one of three players nominated for the title of World’s Best 7-a-side Player. He is in the running alongside another French Olympic champion, Aaron Grandidier Nkanang (now a winger with Section Paloise), who scored four tries at the Paris Games, and Ireland’s Terry Kennedy, already a winner in 2022.

Three South Africans and one Irishman in the running

Voters will have to decide between three South Africans (Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe and Pieter-Steph du Toit, already a winner in 2019) and one Irishman, third-rower Caelan Doris, for the 2024 World XV crown.

On the French side, Pauline Bourdon Sansus, scrum-half with Les Bleues, is one of the nominees, along with England’s Ellie Kildunne and Alex Matthews, and Canada’s Alex Tessler.

Last but not least, the try scored by Nolann Le Garrec against England in the closing match of the 2024 Six Nations Tournament was among those shortlisted for the title of most beautiful try of the year. Gaël Fickou broke through the first defensive curtain, followed up with a feint pass before feeding Léo Barré. The Parisian full-back accelerates and serves the Racingman with a gem of an offload.

The winners will be announced on Sunday evening at the World Rugby Awards in Monaco.