Conor Murray: Respect to Lomu and McCaw, but Antoine Dupont is the greatest of all time
The Debate Over Rugby's Greatest Player
A few weeks back, I wrote about the benefits of Ciarán Frawley's move to Connacht, highlighting how more outhalves wearing the 10 jersey can only be a positive for Ireland's rugby system. Now, with the Six Nations opener in Paris just a week away, Michael Milne's decision to go on loan from Leinster to Munster before signing a two-year contract in the summer looks like a huge call for everyone involved, especially the Irish scrum at the Stade de France next Thursday night.
The Scrum Crisis
Nobody could have expected three loosehead props to go down injured before the Six Nations. But that's what happened when Jack Boyle suffered a leg injury at the Dexcom stadium last weekend, leaving Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy already gone. Andy Farrell will turn to Munster props Milne and Jeremy Loughman unless Tom O'Toole switches over from tighthead. It's a tough situation, especially without the best number three in the world, Uini Antonio, who was forced into sudden retirement after a heart attack.
International Aspirations
I don't know the team yet, but Milne, like Frawley and Nick Timoney, took a big risk by switching provinces with one overarching aim: international caps. These are ambitious professional athletes who could turn a few years down the depth chart at Leinster into a contract at an English or French club. Milne, presumably, holds the same aspirations as Paddy or Jack; get on the pitch and build up the number of scrums against big tightheads in the URC so that he is in the frame for an Ireland call-up.
The Greatest of All Time
I know people will shout names such as Jonah Lomu and Riche McCaw. But I've never seen a better player than Dupont. He's pure class. A ridiculous player. Remember his defense against Leinster in the 2024 final? I counted four turnovers close to the Toulouse try line. He won the tournament on the ground.
France's Strong Start
France has shaken off the 2023 World Cup hangover. It took a while. We were too devastated to notice the host nation being knocked out by South Africa a day after we lost to New Zealand. Same stadium. Same place Ireland and Milne are pulling a shift next Thursday. Fabien Galthié has swung the axe by dropping Grégory Alldritt, Damian Penaud, and Gaël Fickou, mainly because he can. But Galthié has the power to do just that, maybe playing chess two years ahead to the World Cup in Australia.
The French Strategy
Their approach will come as no surprise to any Irish player. Enormous physicality, similar to what the Springboks threw at them in November, with all sorts of runners off Dupont. If the defensive line holds, Dupont will feed Jalibert and he will attempt the spectacular. When the French tails are up, all you can do is tackle your man and hope they eventually run out of steam. Keep the scoreboard ticking whenever possible and somehow stymie the greatest to ever do it.
The Final Thoughts
I can't call it yet. Too early. I'll put my head on the block before kick-off in the Virgin Media studio as I'm joining Rob Kearney and Matty Williams for another type of Six Nations debut on Thursday evening. Lose in Paris and nobody is going to panic. Win, like Ireland did in 2024, and the players will get a serious infusion of belief. It sets the tone.
