Antoine Dupont sees confirmed split with rugby supporters

Antoine Dupont is facing a widening break with part of the rugby public, ending a period in which his status as France’s leading star appeared to shield him from sustained criticism. The backlash has intensified around his decision to miss the national team’s summer Tests in the southern hemisphere, placing his international availability at the centre of the dispute.

The latest trigger was Dupont’s presentation of the Adizero RS15 Pro SG, a signature boot developed with Adidas. The launch was notable because it is the first partnership of that scale between the brand and an active rugby player. On Instagram and X, supporters responded with ridicule and hostile comparisons, including references to footballer Lamine Yamal and former New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter, both associated with World Cup success.

Much of the mockery focused on the contrast between promoting equipment for the pitch and withdrawing from France’s overseas fixtures. Some users questioned whether the boots were suitable for travel beyond Europe or the northern hemisphere, turning the geography of the tour into a recurring joke. The reaction marks a change in how Dupont is viewed by some fans. His commercial commitments and calendar choices are now being judged against rugby’s expectations of national-team duty and personal sacrifice, confirming a more visible divide around the France captain.