Eire’s 2023 Grand Slam-winning fullback Hugo Keenan has praised fellow SVNS Sequence convert Antoine Dupont for setting a “very, very excessive commonplace” for different gamers seeking to swap to rugby union’s shorter format.
Simply final week, Keenan began at fullback for Leinster of their Champions Cup Ultimate in opposition to Toulouse at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Irish heavyweights fell brief 33-21 in an extra-time traditional with French halfback Antoine Dupont standing out.
Dupont, who captained France eventually yr’s Rugby World Cup on residence soil, was recognised because the Investec Participant of the 12 months after the hard-fought European ultimate triumph. That efficiency has led some followers to name Dupont the ‘best of all time.’
But it surely’s not simply followers singing Dupont’s praises.
Keenan and Dupont have been included of their respective nationwide squads for the SVNS Sequence Grand Ultimate at Madrid’s Civitas Metropolitano from Could 31 to June 2. Each males have been spectacular over the three days.
As soon as Eire had performed their ultimate match within the Spanish capital, Keenan stopped to mirror on his return to rugby sevens. Keenan joked about needing “an additional pair of lungs” however was constructive concerning the expertise.
Then, a reporter requested him about Dupont’s kind.
With Dupont making a exceptional return himself, which included a must-see strive in opposition to Nice Britain on Saturday, the acquainted rival described the Frenchman as a “phenomenal” rugby participant.
“I’ve clearly been watching him rather a lot with Toulouse and with the sevens, he’s phenomenal isn’t he? You noticed even his strive final night time and the distinction he could make.,” Keenan informed reporters, together with RugbyPass.
“He was clearly good on the weekend for Toulouse in opposition to us and we had a fast phrase after the sport, a fast phrase within the hall in the course of the week within the resort, wishing one another nicely.
“He’s set the usual for gamers coming into sevens now, and that’s a really, very excessive commonplace.”
For all of the reward and a focus Dupont acquired in the course of the match, Keenan nearly appeared to fly below the radar at occasions. The Irishman has performed sevens earlier than, and after returning to the game for the primary time in years, he slotted proper again in.
Keenan was named in Eire’s beginning facet extra occasions than not. The 2-time Six Nations champion’s second of the match got here in a decisive pool stage conflict in opposition to New Zealand, with Keenan scoring a strive within the ultimate play to ship the match to golden level.
However usually, Keenan greater than held his personal throughout a powerful comeback. With Jordan Conroy and Terry Kennedy anticipated to don the inexperienced jersey on the Paris Olympics subsequent month, there’s each likelihood that Eire can problem for a medal.
“It’s been a really busy yr for me, that’s the thrilling half. I suppose it was placed on the desk some time again nevertheless it was at all times going to be a little bit of a last-minute resolution,” Keenan defined.
“I’d been injured because the Six Nations and that threw a little bit of a spanner within the works. Previous to that, I used to be attempting to simply give attention to Leinster and the Champions Cup as a result of that’s the place my profession is and the place I needed to totally focus and commit a hundred percent.
“The chance happened fairly late on and since the lads have been doing so nicely this yr, I had a couple of chats with a couple of coaches, a couple of of the particular taking part in squad and all people appeared eager to get me on board.
“These alternatives don’t come round too usually. I needed to make a troublesome resolution, however hopefully, it’s one which I received’t remorse and I’ll totally decide to now over the subsequent few weeks and see what occurs.”
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