Gio Aplon has sung the praises of France and Toulouse captain and scrum-half Antoine Dupont, describing him as “the most influential player” he’s ever seen.

Much has been said and written about Dupont’s capabilities as a rugby player and there has been a debate in recent months on whether he is the game’s greatest ever player after he made the switch to sevens and helped France to win the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Paris earlier this year.

Apart from his prowess in the shortened version of the sport, Dupont has already reached great heights in the 15-a-side game and was crowned World Rugby’s Player of the Year in 2021.

Before making the switch to sevens, the 28-year-old received widespread praise after delivering an epic performance in Toulouse’s Champions Cup final victory over Leinster at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London and he also guided Les Rouge et Noir to victory over Bordeaux-Begles in the Top 14 final.

Back to his best for Toulouse and France

And after returning to 15s Dupont has continued where he left off with Toulouse and France.

Last month, he scored a hat-trick of tries in nine minutes off the bench upon his Toulouse return in a Top 14 victory over Clermont and he also captained Les Bleus to victories over Japan, New Zealand and Argentina in the Autumn Nations Series recently.

Aplon joined fellow former Springboks Juan de Jongh and Rudy Paige on their podcast Behind the Ruck with De Jongh highlighting the difference Dupont makes for France.

“When Dupont plays they (France) are a different team. I mean, it’s almost like a France with another gear. It’s exciting to see him back,” he said.

Aplon echoed De Jongh’s sentiments and said he is yet to see a player who influences the game the way the scrum-half does.

“I think there’s always the argument of who’s the best player and who’s the best player in the world or whatever,” he said.

“But I can definitely say he’s the most influential player I’ve seen in my lifetime. A guy that goes to sevens and they’ve (France) never won a tournament. He gets there and his influence makes them win a tournament, they win a gold medal (at the Olympic Games).

Makes France and Toulouse look good

“Like you say, when he doesn’t play for France, they’re a different team. When he doesn’t play (for) Toulouse, they’re a totally different team. Again, he plays nine.

“You know, a nine, the amount of ball that goes to you and the decision making, how you have to control the game, being tactical. I mean, I think people, yes, we watch highlights of other players etcetera. But people don’t understand how difficult it is to play nine.

“And then people do not understand how difficult it is to be so influential as a nine. And 99% of the time, make the right decision.”