Antoine Dupont’s Olympic dream got off to a winning start with two victories on his sevens debut for France at the SVNS event in Vancouver.
Dupont, 27, skipped this year’s Six Nations to play sevens as he bids to win Olympic gold in Paris this summer.
France are guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals in Canada after a 24-12 victory against the United States and a 40-7 win against Samoa in their pool.
“He’s the best player in the world,” said France captain Paulin Riva.
“It’s very important for us to help him on the field and I think for the first day it’s been a good day for us and for him, winning our first two games.
“It’s an honour to have him in the group.”
Dupont came off the bench in the 11th minute against the United States, when France’s lead was 19-7.
The French also had a healthy lead when he entered the match against Samoa and although he failed to register a try in either match, he made his presence felt.
Dupont, a former World Player of the Year, has 52 Test caps for France in the XV-man format and helped his country to a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2022.
France’s final pool match is against Australia on Saturday.
