Louis Picamoles
Position: Number Eight
Club: Montpelier
Age: 33
Since making his debut in 2008, Louis Picamoles
has been a regular in the French national side. A
destructive and powerful ball carrier, Picamoles
offers significant threat from the base of the
scrum, and the number eight more often than not
delivers front-foot ball on a plate, something that
will be important if the French backline are to fire
effectively. At 33, it’s likely to be the Parisian’s last
World Cup so expect some big performances.
Antoine Dupont
Position: Scrum-Half
Club: Toulouse
Age: 22
Another of France’s crop of impressive youngsters,
Antoine Dupont has been a revelation in his
country’s colours. His impact in the closing stages
of France’s Six Nations debacle against England
was such that it won him the starting scrum-half
berth for the rest of the competition, with the
livewire’s speed of service and eye for a gap
immediately making les Blues a more dangerous
prospect. Coming off the back of winning Top 14
campaign with his club Toulouse, Dupont will be
playing with confidence, and that should worry any
side.
RUGBY WORLD CUP - TOP 10
ISSUE 116 2019 • WWW.SCRUMMAGAZINE.COM • 47