Scrum-half Dupont has obtained widespread adulation for his electrical performances.
James Lowe brazenly admits Ireland might be gunning for the “world’s greatest participant” Antoine Dupont when France go to Dublin.
Scrum-half Dupont turned the primary French winner of the Guinness Six Nations Participant of the Championship in 2020 and has obtained widespread adulation for his electrical performances.
Eire should beat Les Bleus on Sunday to maintain alive their title hopes and New Zealand-born wing Lowe is beneath no illusions in regards to the risks posed by the opposition’s star man.
“Dupont is a typical theme into every part that goes properly with this French facet,” mentioned Lowe, who certified for his adopted nation by way of residency guidelines in November.
“He is an incredible participant. To me, the world’s greatest participant in the meanwhile.
“I noticed that (New Zealand scrum-half) Aaron Smith really simply got here out and mentioned brazenly he is watching Dupont, what’s he is finished for Toulouse and this French facet.
“He is the important thing man and somebody that we now have to attempt to restrict his injury. He is the one we’re going for.”
Whereas 24-year-old Dupont impressed France to a thumping opening-weekend win over Italy, Eire should play catch-up after Peter O’Mahony‘s early crimson card proved pricey in a dangerous defeat in opposition to Wales.
Lowe made his Six Nations debut in Cardiff and has gone from occasionally watching the competitors on tv when arriving residence from late nights out to being “addicted” to it.
Requested if the Six Nations had been on his radar earlier than leaving his homeland to affix Leinster in 2017, he replied: “No, to be fairly frank.
“I did not watch the FPL (Premier League soccer) both however now I’m addicted – I’m hooked on each of them.
“Sadly because of the time distinction – until you are coming residence from city at three o’clock within the morning – you are not catching an excessive amount of of it stay.
“It is an incredible competitors. There’s a lot at stake each single recreation and it is superior to be part of.”
Having established himself as a key participant for his province, Lowe was thrust on to the worldwide stage by head coach Andy Farrell, making his debut within the Autumn Nations Cup.
He performed in a win over Wales and defeat to England however was pressured on to the sidelines by a groin harm suffered in coaching, earlier than finally successful his third cap in Sunday’s 21-16 loss on the Principality Stadium.
Lowe feels “able to rumble” following the frustration of his enforced absence.
“It was bloody annoying. It was a little bit niggly one. I had two steps ahead, one step again all through the course of the eight weeks of rehab,” he mentioned.
“They weren’t working very properly collectively, my knee and my groin. It was only a tedious sufficient progress. However I’m again, absolutely match and able to rumble.”
Elevation to the nationwide workforce has introduced elevated scrutiny and Lowe was singled out by former England wing Chris Ashton for being “too massive, too heavy, too sluggish” following Eire’s 18-7 defeat at Twickenham in November.
Lowe accepts criticism comes with the territory however insists he isn’t significantly involved by opinions originating exterior the Irish camp.
“He is most likely one who has really been there however 99 per cent of people that voice their opinion, they don’t seem to be those I care about, or fear about,” Lowe mentioned of Ashton’s remarks.
“There’s a group of males in right here who’ve set out on a mission to attain one thing and we’ll inform one another sq. to the face.
“It is a skilled setting based mostly on efficiency and we’re all in right here stepping into the identical path, attempting to to attain the identical factor, in order that’s all that actually issues.”
