Ten weeks after winning Olympic gold, Antoine Dupont returned to training this week with Stade Toulouse. And he should appear on the scoresheet against Clermont on Saturday evening.
There was an air of excitement at Ernest-Wallon on Monday afternoon, a few minutes before the training session at Stade Toulouse. Cameras, unusually present cameras, supporters on the lookout… And the same question, which even some members of the staff had fun with: “Will Antoine Dupont be on the field in a few minutes?” The Puma Juan Cruz Mallia, returning from the Rugby Championship, was one of the first to appear on the pitch. But, if it is certainly not a question of minimizing the contribution of the man who was one of the most consistent and efficient Toulouse residents last season, it is indeed the return of Dupont – official at the same time – which made sensation. With a smile on his face, the scrum half started with a few stretches before joining his teammates and launching his 2024-2025 exercise by preparing for the Clermont reception on Saturday. “It’s nice to see Antoine again, like our Argentines elsewherewhispered François Cros an hour and a half later. Above all, it feels good to have our entire squad back.”
Ten weeks after his Olympic gold medal with the French 7s team, and more than three after his last appearance in the jersey of his club in the Top 14 final, Dupont resumed his life as a Stade Toulouse player. And that doesn’t come at such a bad time after two defeats in a row and a mixed start to the season in terms of play. “In this case, whether it is Antoine or Juan Cruz, these are important returns for usnote Romain Ntamack. Already, it’s nice to see them again. And we feel that they are arriving in a week where the group is very focused and diligent.” In this sense, the simple presence of the stadist captain, who is never insignificant, necessarily galvanized the troops. “It brings enthusiasmconfirm Peato Mauvaka. And also the confidence that a player like him exudes.”
Substitute against Clermont?
If his role is already essential during the week given his aura over his partners, it could especially be in competition, to help the Rouge et Noir take a step forward in the implementation of their rugby. “We’ll see if he’ll be with us this weekendwhispers Cros. But in any case, it is already certain that the emulation he brings us can only be beneficial.” As of Monday, management indicated that “nothing prevents him from applying against Clermont”. Nor administratively, everything having been validated in terms of the rules to be respected on retakes. Nor physically, since the player spoke rigorously about himself and had even shared several days of training with the group, on his own initiative.
It must also be said that the person concerned will be on the November tour with the XV of France and that he therefore needs playing time until then. There are only three weekends left for that. A priori, if he could be a replacement, manager Ugo Mola and his assistants should therefore not do without his services on Saturday evening. Which provoked irony from the ASMCA opener, Benjmain Urdapilleta, on the air of Sud Radio : “I saw that he had resumed this week and that he was available to play against us. Couldn’t he have waited a week? It’s not possible, we’re out of luck…”
Ntamack: “Antoine, it’s Antoine…”
Opposite, Romain Ntamack is delighted to find his partner, with whom he won so much but who also missed him during a large part of the last exercise, when he was injured in a knee. “When I am absent, he is there, and when I am there, he is absentlaughs number 10. It obviously felt a little strange to start the matches without Toto (his nickname, Editor’s note) next to. Since the start of my career, I have almost always played with him not far from me.” Then add: “Beyond the rugby aspect where everyone knows what he brings, it’s reassuring when you have him by your side. This is all the more true for me when I play with him at the hinge we have other very good players in his position, Paul. (Graou) or Naoto (Saito) who are doing very well. But Antoine is Antoine. When he’s there, it’s always better.”
Also because this boy is sunny and he leaves absolutely no one indifferent. What Mauvaka illustrates: “We all know that Toto is the best! He can always start something, he makes the forwards play, etc. And the guys opposite play against Toulouse and against him. Even if he is a substitute, if you see you come into play, you tell yourself that you have to deal with him… If you are in his team, you are confident; if you play against him, you are less confident.” This sums up so well what the boss’s return changes.
