The Dupont Law was a change to rules of rugby introduced in 2024, named after the French scrum half and 2021 World Player of the Year, Antoine Dupont.
What is the Dupont Law?
The Dupont Law was introduced by World Rugby as a variation to the offside law. Prior to the law change, players in front of the kicker could remain stationary. They would go back onside by a player who was onside when the ball was kicked, went ahead of them. They would also be onside when the opposition player who caught the ball moved five minutes.
The law change meant that players who were ahead of the kicker were required to retreat, and they also wouldn’t be put back onside by an opposition player moving.
Why is it named after Antoine Dupont?
The law change was named after Antoine Dupont due to the French sides’ ability to exploit the loophole for their advantage.
It also led to a strange circumstance in the 2024 Six Nations between France and Scotland. The receivers of kicks would refuse to move.
Dupont, as the French captain, was observed asking referees before matches if they could still use the exploit, bringing the minor law to the attention of the referee before the game.
What impact did the Dupont Law had on the game?
The law change brough an end to the kick tennis style that had been developed over the previous years.
Teams were able to pin their opponents in by returning kicks and allowing their players to stand still.
Since the law has changed, there has been much more of a push towards a contestable kicking style.
