Antoine Dupont star power on show against Ulster before Sevens secondment

Last week, pictures emerged of Antoine Dupont training with the France Sevens squad.

While we've had the news that the biggest star in world rugby is to forsake a Six Nations campaign and Toulouse club duties to help his country’s bid for Olympic gold for the last few months, it still takes a lot of getting used to.

The code is on an upward curve in this country, with both the men and women’s side also heading for Paris, but it’s still in its infancy and is not comparable to the real thing in terms of popularity.

The 27-year-old former World Rugby player of the year’s decision to opt out of Les Bleus for a spell remains momentous. But after the crushing disappointment of a World Cup quarter-final loss to the Springboks, Dupont is determined to taste glory on French soil.

Before he bids au revoir to the XVs for a while he’s got some business to take care of in Belfast.

And he’s no stranger to the Kingspan, having spoiled the Ulster party here two years ago.

Dupont scored the winning try as Ugo Mola’s side edged an epic two-legged tussle by one point. The aggregate score was 50-49 as Toulouse struck with five minutes to play.

Ulster, having recorded a famous 26-20 win in Le Stadium in the first leg, were left devastated by the late twist in the tale.

"He ruined our night basically on his own with a brilliant display of kicking and a couple of breaks that led to tries," Ulster boss Dan McFarland said this week.

It still hurts. And why wouldn’t it? Ulster appeared to be in control but soon after his introduction, Tom O’Toole was sent off and they had to play with 14 men for the last 15 minutes.

Before that we were treated to one of the great European games with two early yellow cards; a stunning try from Ethan McIlroy, and two tries