- Social media companies slam Australia's under-16 ban
- Canada watchdog sues Google over 'anti-competitive' ad tech
- Hojlund gives Amorim winning Old Trafford bow, Roma hold Spurs
- Amorim wins first Man Utd home game after rollercoaster ride
- France arrests 26 as South Asian migrant trafficking ring smashed
- At least 15 dead, 113 missing, in Uganda landslides
- Netanyahu threatens 'intensive war' if Hezbollah breaches fragile truce
- Bilbao join Lazio at Europa League summit, Chelsea cruise in Conference League
- In Lebanon's Tyre returning residents find no water, little power
- Biden slams Trump tariff threats as 'counterproductive'
- TikTok tactics shake up politics in Romania
- 'He should do comedy' says Norris of Verstappen comments
- Americans celebrate Thanksgiving after bitter election
- Flood-hit Spain introduces 'climate leave' for workers
- UK's Starmer vows to slash net migration
- Recount order, TikTok claims throw Romania election into chaos
- Bottas set for Mercedes return as Mick Schumacher quits reserve role
- Putin threatens Kyiv with new hypersonic missile
- Georgia delays EU bid until 2028 amid post-election crisis
- Guardiola's ingenuity will solve Man City crisis, says Slot
- 'Nothing left': Flood-hit Spanish town struggles one month on
- Israel conducts first strike on Lebanon since ceasefire
- 'Unrecognisable' Mbappe and Real Madrid hurting after European woes
- Uber and Bolt unveil women-only service in Paris
- French cognac workers protest China bottling plan amid tariff threat
- World tennis No.2 Swiatek accepts one-month doping suspension
- Farrell backs youngster Prendergast at fly-half for Aussie Test
- Suualii to start for Wallabies against Ireland
- Camavinga joins Real Madrid injury list
- Australia passes landmark social media ban for under 16s
- Nigerian president woos French investment on state visit
- Contentious COP29 deal casts doubt over climate plans
- PSG, Real Madrid toil as giants struggle to get to grips with new Champions League
- Liberian ex-warlord Prince Johnson dies aged 72
- K-pop band NewJeans leaves label over 'mistreatment'
- Sri Lanka crash to record low Test total of 42 in South Africa
- Putin says barrage 'response' to West-supplied missiles
- Lebanon MPs seek end to leadership vacuum with January presidency vote
- French farmers wall off public buildings in protest over regulations
- Lampard appointed Coventry manager
- French luxury mogul Arnault defiant at ex-spy chief trial
- South Africa bowled out for 191 against Sri Lanka
- 'Europe's best' Liverpool aim to pile pain on Man City
- Hezbollah under pressure after war with Israel
- OPEC+ postpones meeting on oil output to December 5
- Zelensky slams Russia's 'despicable' use of cluster munitions in energy strikes
- One dead, thousands displaced as floods hit southern Thailand
- Lebanon army deploys under Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire
- Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi emerges as Pakistan protest figure
- COP16 biodiversity talks to restart in February: UN
Superstar Dupont raring to go for France return
France captain Antoine Dupont said on Friday he is "eager" to play for his country's 15-a-side team once again this weekend following his Olympics-enforced absence.
Dupont, 27, has missed almost 13 months of action for Les Bleus but won Olympic gold in rugby sevens for France at this year's Games in Paris.
His last appearance for Fabien Galthie's outfit was last October's Rugby World Cup quarter-final loss to eventual winners South Africa.
"It was a bit long without playing with the 15s side, so I was eager to find the balance, to be back with the guys and at the Stade de France," Dupont told reporters before Saturday's game against Japan in Paris.
"So I'm very happy, I wasn't lost," he added.
Dupont's Olympic success added to a lengthy list of trophy wins including a Six Nations and a host of titles with club Toulouse.
The only thing missing is the World Cup, with the next tournament held in Australia in 2027.
"Even if it feels far away, I think we now have the experience and maturity to say we're working with the goal to be at our best in three years," Dupont said.
"Even if you have to think about the weekend's objective, and short-term matches, we know the World Cup is on its way," the 2021 World Rugby player of the year added.
Dupont returns to a France set-up reeling from off-field scandals.
During this summer's tour of South America two players faced allegations of rape and another was sent home for making racist comments on social media.
Following the incidents the French Rugby Federation have introduced a new behavioural charter for players which includes a ban on alcohol consumption at the training ground and stadia.
"We represent the France national team," Dupont said.
"We know we have a public image to uphold and responsibilities, on and off the field.
"With that in mind there hasn't been a need for change, there will just be a clarification on what we're allowed and not allowed to do at certain moments," he added.
This weekend Dupont lines up alongside club team-mate Thomas Ramos at half-back, with usual fly-half Romain Ntamack out injured.
Despite having never started a game together in the crucial playmaking roles for their country, Dupont and Ramos have featured there for their club.
"We have our bearings," Dupont said.
"There are no problems with that.
"He's a different player to Romain but in the gameplan and how we play at Toulouse that we try and drive here, there are a lot of similarities," he added.
A.F.Rosado--PC