Dupont scores winner against Ireland as France take bronze at Vancouver Sevens

Antoine Dupont was unable to inspire France to sevens silverware as New Zealand edged them out in the semi-finals of the HSBC SVNS event in Vancouver.

France's regular 15-a-side captain, whose late try fired his country into the last four on Saturday in a quarter-final win over Ireland, has opted to skip the Guinness Six Nations in order to focus on playing sevens ahead of this summer’s Olympics in Paris.

France missed scrum-half Dupont’s skills earlier on Sunday as Les Bleus were stunned in a 13-13 Six Nations draw with unfancied Italy in Lille.

But the 2021 men’s world player of the year, playing in his first sevens tournament, had to settle for a third-place play-off in Canada as New Zealand beat France 28-26 in a high quality sevens contest.

New Zealand took control of the semi-final after early tries from Cody Vai and Akuila Rokolisoa gave them a 14-5 interval advantage.

Jordan Sepho’s try helped France cut the lead to 14-12, but New Zealand stretched away again before consolation scores from Rayan Rebbadj and Joseph Jefferson Lee.

Ireland finished in fifth place thanks to victory over Fiji in their final game.

Meanwhile, there was a ninth-place finish for Ireland Women, who recorded wins over South Africa, Great Britain and Japan.