“If Dupont wasn’t around, we’d consider this guy the top No9.”
Being ranked as the second-best scrum-half globally behind Antoine Dupont implies that in any other era, you would likely be considered the best. Dupont’s exceptional standing among his peers sets a high standard, leaving other No9s striving for recognition as the ‘best of the rest,’ given they are competing against one of the greatest players in rugby history. However, this acknowledgment doesn’t diminish the talent of other outstanding scrum-halves currently in the game, as highlighted recently by Dan Biggar.
The former Wales captain recently praised Ireland and Leinster scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park as the best player in the world at scrum-half behind Dupont. Biggar emphasized Gibson-Park’s game control and highlighted how his role has evolved, particularly since the retirement of Johnny Sexton at fly-half. Despite having a different playing style and skill set compared to Dupont, Gibson-Park’s contributions are recognized and valued in the rugby community.
