At the heart of the demonstration at Stade Toulousain on the Exeter pitch and not so surprisingly, Antoine Dupont underwent special treatment.
“It can only be dangerous and against the spirit of the game to tackle a player late. It happened to me four or five times in the first half.“, railed the scrum-half at a press conference, as reported by Rugbyrama, present in Devon this Sunday.
VIDEO. 10 tries, 0 pity, Stade Toulousain crushes Exeter in EnglandObviously, carrying the ball as “Toto” likes to do against punishing 3rd lines like Roots or Vermeulen can sometimes be at risk. But the abuse against him must nevertheless be punished, the Champions Cup not being the Regional. “Afterwards, I take risks, I know that I have a game where I carry the ball but once I have made the pass, they do not have the right to send me back or keep me on the ground. These are strategies that teams can apply but are prohibited. I hope this will be sanctioned more in the future.“
Was it after this that Dupont appeared with an ice pack on his hand in front of the press? Difficult to say… Still, after another stratospheric performance on all the fundamentals of number 9 and in his ability to weigh on the opposing defense line, Dupont came out on the hour mark.
To breathe, of course, but also to avoid damaging a sore thumb. “It’s more annoying than bad,” explained someone who has already experienced this several times in the past.
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“I have a sprained thumb. Nothing bad, but I try to treat it as soon as possible so as not to have too much damage.“Will this compromise his participation in the match against Lyon next Sunday evening? Impossible to say at the moment, while waiting to see how it evolves during the week. Even if Ugo Mola will certainly not take any risks with his captain.
While for its part, the LOU continues to pray to see the return of its own Dupont, Baptiste Couilloud. Victim of a sprained elbow 15 days ago, there is nevertheless little chance that he will participate in the next day of Top 14. And to see the two most impressive scrum halves in the championship face off…
