Ben Youngs believes that Antoine Dupont will change 'the way that nines play the game'

March 10, 2021
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Ultimate Rugby

Ahead of England's clash with France at Twickenham this weekend, veteran scrumhalf Ben Youngs spoke highly of his opposite number Antoine Dupont.

Youngs, 31, believes that he will be facing the player who is redefining the role of a scrum-half and compared the Les Bleus ace to former Wallabies nine Will Genia.

Dupont and Youngs face for just the second time on Saturday but Youngs already has deep admiration for the 24-year-old.

"I am hugely impressed with Dupont. He's really flying the flag for scrum-halves. He's the best scrum-half in the world and he's probably one of the best players in the world," Youngs said.

"You look at Will Genia when he first burst onto the scene - he changed the way that nines play the game.

"Fast-forward 10 years and Antoine Dupont has come along and I think he will do the same. He'll change the way nines play.

"He's unique. He's such a powerful guy. He's a very compact bloke. He's an extremely instinctive player and once the French pack gets rumbling he's extremely explosive around the ruck area.

"He is happy to take guys on and get through those bits of contact. His game management is very, very strong as well. He has got the best of both worlds really.

"I don't know where he's going to end up. In another seven or eight years, he is going to be incredible.

"I can't compliment him enough. I can recognise talent when I see it, I can recognise a serious player in my position when I see it, and I believe he's the best scrum-half in the world.

"If someone like that doesn't bring out the best in you when you get the opportunity to play against them then..."

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Youngs isn't the first member of the England camp to sing Dupont's praises with John Mitchell also waxing lyrical about the young halfback.

When asked how England can contain Dupont, the England defence coach simply answered: “You stop him from running, I reckon! He can run!”

“He’s a really good player who likes to influence the game and he backs his strengths. He’s got good vision and has good awareness of defenders either side of the ruck." he continued.

“He also tends not to be pre-meditated, so he makes a lot of decisions based on what’s in front of him. He’s got a good skill-set.