Dupont reveals the one rugby prize still eluding him after steering France to Six Nations Grand Slam

Antoine Dupont is running out of space in his trophy cabinet but there is one prize that has so far eluded him. After leading France to a first Grand Slam in 12 years, Dupont was named Guinness Six Nations Player of the Championship for the second time, to add to the World Player of the Year award he picked up last year. Ad/> But the biggest individual accolade available for any French player right now is defence coach Shaun Edwards' prize for the top defender in a match.

RugbyRugby ace Day issues rousing doping rallying cry in support of UKAD projectYESTERDAY AT 11:21 In the biggest games, the reward is a bottle of Dom Perignon, and after racking up 15 tackles in the 25-13 win over England – equalling the record for a French scrum-half held by his coach Fabien Galthié 20 years ago – Dupont is hoping that he will have done enough to get the nod. He said: «We've not had our debrief yet so I've not been able to get it, but I hope that at our next meet-up, I will. He's not wanted to give me the award for best defender so far since he's been with us!» Edwards now has four Grand Slams to his name as a coach, having previously won three with Wales, and his impact on this French team has been evident.

Despite largely winning the kicking battle at the Stade de France, England managed just one try and had very few chances as they struggled to break down their hosts. And in a country where dazzling with ball in hand was always prioritised over work off the ball, Dupont is clearly enjoying his work with Edwards. He explained: «Shaun is precise on what he wants and knows exactly what he wants on the pitch.