France’s preferred halfback pairing is back. Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack are set to start together for the French jersey on Saturday in Lyon against the Fidji, the first time they have done so for 610 days.
It is a notable moment for XV de France, not least because Dupont and Ntamack have been associated only twice for France since the 2023 Coupe du monde. The reunion gives France the chance to reset around a combination that has long been seen as central to their attacking identity.
Arlettaz: Dupont is back to full physical capacity
Patrick Arlettaz, the trainer in charge of the French attack, said Dupont now looks refreshed and fully capable physically. In his view, there is no longer any real doubt over the scrum-half’s condition.
“Antoine Dupont est ressourcé et en pleine capacité de ses moyens,” Arlettaz said, adding that “on est ravi de les revoir associés tous les deux parce qu’ils sont en forme tous les deux.”
That matters because the discussion around Dupont in recent months has not been about talent. It has been about timing, recovery and whether he could get back to his best after a serious injury and a rushed build-up before the last Tournament.
Why this return means so much
Arlettaz was blunt about that earlier period. “Le Tournoi, finalement, ça a été un peu précipité,” he said, suggesting Dupont’s previous return came before he was fully ready.
He also made the point that the France captain now looks much closer to his normal level. “Je crois que, déjà, il est beaucoup mieux physiquement,” he said. “Là, on voit bien qu’il est en pleine possession de ses moyens, qu’il est à 100 % physiquement.”
That is the real headline here. When Dupont is at full strength, France look more settled, more dangerous and easier to build around. And with Ntamack beside him again, the balance of the side looks far more natural.
France will expect more control against the Fidji
France know the Fidji can cause problems, even if the scoreboard eventually goes their way. One year before this match, France beat the Fidji 34-21 in Bordeaux after the visitors created plenty of difficulties.
So this is not simply a sentimental reunion. It is also a practical one. France want control, rhythm and clarity, and the Dupont-Ntamack axis gives them the best chance of finding all three.
Arlettaz also pointed to a wider truth about Dupont’s standing in the side. “On a tendance à trouver tout normal du moment qu’Antoine enfile le maillot,” he said, before adding that in those moments “il n’y a souvent plus de choix à faire.”
That sums up the situation well. For France, the return of Dupont and Ntamack is not just a selection detail. It is a reminder of where their attacking ceiling really sits, and why Saturday in Lyon feels like such an important step back toward their best version.
