After correcting Ulster (61-21), Stade Toulousain did not detail by winning at Exeter (64-21), equaling the largest defeat for the English in the Champions Cup. Everything is currently smiling down on the title holders, who have taken the lead in the group tied with UBB. Toulouse captain Antoine Dupont, who complained of having sometimes been targeted by the opposing defense, did not hide his satisfaction.
Antoine Dupont, you still score more than sixty points, with the trifle of ten tries scored, what can we say about such success away from home?
That we filled in all the boxes we set for ourselves. We came here under different circumstances a few years ago, it went badly for us. So we also had that in mind, we wanted to rectify the situation. We know that they are in a bad dynamic, a bad time and that confidence in these moments is hard to find. So we had to make a big start so as not to give them hope, which we were able to do. We quickly got the score, we quickly gained contact, we were in place, we made a very serious start and then we were able to gain confidence and progress through the rest of the match.
It’s not common to inflict ten tries on your opponent, at home moreover, in the Champions Cup…
No, that’s for sure, that’s worth emphasizing. Once again, we went through more complicated times, they are last in the English championship. We know that it’s hard in these moments, the dynamics are hard to find and especially to reverse. We are rather confident, we are on a very good dynamic and we knew that if we started well, the score could increase as the match progressed. We are very happy with that, obviously.
You had fun, we imagine?
Yes, of course, the conditions were great and when we are in a good dynamic like that, in a good state of mind, that everyone plays their role, that we manage to have quick rucks, even if they took a lot intensity and aggressiveness, often they went up a little alone, so it opened doors right and left and we take a lot of pleasure when we manage to play in these conditions.
It’s against the spirit of the game to tackle a player late
You talk about the intensity, did you have the impression of being targeted at the start of the match, a little more than usual in any case?
(he sighs) Yes, but I don’t understand why it’s not punished more. It can only be dangerous, against the spirit of the game to tackle a player late. It happened to me four or five times in the first half and there is an advantage on the fifth time, I think. Afterwards, I take risks, I also 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 aim for but which are prohibited, so I hope that it will be more sanctioned in the future.
Is it a pleasant time to live at the moment for Stade Toulousain?
Yes, of course, we have a lot of fun during the week too, there is a lot of good humor but that doesn’t stop the work ethic from remaining there. As I said before, it’s growing, even today we see guys who are in the stands who could be on the pitch with a starting jersey and that’s what pushes us on a daily basis. During the week, no one gives each other gifts, even if there is good humor, it works very hard, everyone tries to surpass themselves every day and that’s why it also works on the weekend. So, it’s up to us to do everything we can to maintain this dynamic.
You have ice on your left thumb…
Yes, I have a sprained thumb, nothing bad but I’m trying to treat it as soon as possible so as not to have too much damage. It’s not bad, it’s more annoying than bad, we’ll say.
