Top 14 – The notes of Toulouse – Clermont: Antoine Dupont indecent, Ange Capuozzo untenable

This Saturday evening, Stade Toulouse largely won against Clermont with a score of 48-14. Antoine Dupont was exceptional for his big return to the Top 14. Ange Capuozzo and Pita Ahki also had an XXL match. On the Clermont side, Thomas Ceyte and Barnabé Massa were in difficulty.

The tops

The red and black winger unlocked the counter when Stade Toulouse really needed it. While the Stadistes were muzzled by the Auvergne defense, the Italian international exploded the latter thanks to a personal feat and his renowned speed. Electric during each of his ball catches, it was also he who broke the Clermont defensive curtain in the 56th. He initiated the action of Toulouse’s fourth try. From the very great Capuozzo.

It’s simple, the Toulouse center improves each ball he touches. In a difficult first half hour for his team, he flew through the debates thanks to his power but also his vision of the game, which no longer needs to be proven. Subsequently, the former Connacht player was “content” to play the shots that came his way perfectly, letting some of his partners shine. We will also remember his three beaten defenders and his six tackles. The years pass and Pita Ahki remains one of the bosses of Toulouse. This performance is once again proof of that.

Also read:
Top 14 – Big concern for Romain Ntamack, hit in the right leg against Clermont

Where to start? To say that it took Antoine Dupont four minutes to score his first try of the season in the Top 14? Don’t forget either that twelve minutes after entering Ernest-Wallon’s pitch, “Toto” was going to flatten for the third time of the evening. The Olympic champion managed a comeback like a king, and it was Clermont who paid the price. In just over half an hour, he managed to delight his audience and all lovers of the oval ball. Let’s enjoy it ladies and gentlemen.

Also read:
Video. Relive Antoine Dupont’s first tests for his return to Stade Toulouse

The flops

The second row visibly had great determination at kick-off. Problem: he didn’t know how to take advantage of it. Penalized three times in the first period, Thomas Ceyte erred in chronic indiscipline, going so far as to be penalized an additional ten meters for protesting. We cannot underestimate his impact in the rucks and other obscure tasks – like his intervention on Antoine Dupont on the first try – but it is clear that his energy did not serve his people as it should have.

Toulouse celebrated Antoine Dupont’s first steps this season by improving against Clermont, ending a series of two consecutive defeats. The scrum half scored a hat-trick in twelve minutes for his comeback.
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— RUGBYRAMA (@RugbyramaFR) https://twitter.com/RugbyramaFR/status/1845209635919364307?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

We have no doubt that the Isérois will have a good career in the Top 14. But at the start of the season, the 20-year-old hooker has not yet found the consistency required at the highest level: this Saturday, the Auvergne lineup lost three balls on his throws, including two misplaced ammunition on his part for lobbing the jumper. He is also caught out, on the supports, by Capuozzo – nothing infamous for a hooker, obviously – on the opponent’s first try. For the rest, he showed a great burst of energy, which is not enough in such a context.

Toulouse notes: