Antoine Dupont, an emblematic figure of the Toulouse stadium, saw his image associated with a new project.
World rugby is shaken by the emergence of a dissident project called R360, which aims to upset the discipline like the superligue in football. Thought as an international circuit bringing together the best players in the world in franchise teams, he promises stages organized in the biggest stadiums on the planet, from Barcelona to Los Angeles via London and São Paulo.
At the heart of this still vague contours, an image attracted attention: that of Antoine Dupont. The captain of the XV of France, an essential face of world rugby, appears in the presentation brochure of R360. A use that immediately made those around him react. The player’s agent wanted to deny any involvement from RMCSpecifying that Dupont had nothing to see this project.
The promoters of R360 have already approached several stars, notably the former All Black Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who would have agreed to join the first season scheduled in 2027 with a double salary neighboring the million euros. Other big names in XIII rugby, such as Ryan Papenhuyzen or Nelson Asofa-Solomona, were also said to have been asked with attractive financial proposals.
A threatened project
This project, led by the former English international Mike Tindall, the former lawyer for Liv Golf John Loffhagen and supported by the Emirati 885 Capital fund, however arouses many questions. Investors are targeting the sale of male and women’s franchises for several tens of millions of euros, but World Rugby has already pushed a first validation vote, leaving doubt about its official recognition.
Beyond its funding, R360 could collide with national and international calendars. Several federations, such as those of England, New Zealand or Australia, have already brandished the threat of ineligibility for their internationals attempted by the adventure.
In France, the president of the FFR Florian Grill also warned: the players who will engage there will not be selectable. What seriously cool the promoters. One certainty, however: Antoine Dupont will remain faithful to the Toulouse stadium.
