A resounding return, if ever there was one. Author of a hat-trick in 13 minutes against Clermont on Saturday, Antoine Dupont Didn’t “need 50 chances” to successfully return to the Top 14, welcomed Stade Toulouse assistant coach David Mélé, after the victory of the Rouge et Noir (48-14).
Two and a half months after his coronation at the Paris Games, the French rugby superstar played his first minutes of the season, coming on in the 45th minute to a standing ovation from the Ernest-Wallon stadium. And the least we can say is that it didn’t take long for him to find his feet again. Only four minutes after coming into play, the international scrum-half scored the first of his three tries, sneaking through the Clermont defense.
“We know his qualities, we know what he can bring us. Antoine is a threat, he concentrates a lot of defenders,” added David Mélé. But that did not prevent him from scoring two other tries in quick succession, first receiving an inside delivery from winger Ange Capuozzo, then a long play at the foot of the Italian international ( 56th, 58th).
The specialist in interior supports
“We all know here that Antoine is more of a specialist in interior support, it’s a comfort to have him,” commented Capuozzo. “Having this fresh blood does everyone good, it brings energy, emulation, a touch of madness,” he added about Dupont and the Argentinian Juan Cruz Mallia, back from the Rugby Championship played with the Pumas.
The only setback for Toulouse, which returned to victory after two worrying defeats against UBB and Castres, Dupont will not be able to reform the dream hinge of the Blues and Stade Toulouse for a little while: Romain Ntamack injured his calf in the first half, and given his grimace when leaving, he could be there for a little while.
Source: www.20minutes.fr
