FRANCE’S OLYMPIC HERO scrum-half Antoine Dupont returns to Top 14 action on Saturday in what Toulouse coach Ugo Mola hailed as a welcome boost for the struggling champions.
Dupont makes his comeback against Clermont two-and-a-half months after guiding France to the Olympic rugby sevens gold medal.
And Mola believes it will have an impact on the entire team after back-to-back defeats.
“(What) he gives to all his teammates through the trust he evokes, what he generates… we must not underestimate this.”
Dupont will make his first appearance in the Toulouse jersey since their crushing Top 14 final victory against Bordeaux-Begles in June.
“The first person to be happy about this return is obviously him. After two-and-a-half months, he was a little fed up,” said his teammate Dimitri Delibes.
“It gives the group a bit of a boost. He is one of the leaders of the team. He always has the right word, always the right advice.”
Since the 27-year-old’s Olympic success on home soil, Dupont was named the Top 14′s Player of the Seaason for 2023/24.
In his post-Olympics break, he spent time in the United States meeting Argentina football superstar Lionel Messi in Miami as well as NBA star LeBron James in California and visited the Los Angeles Chargers’ NFL set-up.
His return is timely for Toulouse after consecutive defeats against Bordeaux-Begles (16-12), the first at home since February 2022, then a 28-23 reverse at Castres last weekend.
In Dupont’s absence, the record 23-time French champions have started the new season sluggishly and are fifth in the Top 14 table with three wins from their opening five games.
Mola praised Dupont’s dedication for training several times with Toulouse during his time off as the scrum-half also prepares for France’s November Tests against Japan, New Zealand and Argentina.
He said Dupont was constantly “pushing the cursor” and was aware that he would be pilloried for any “lacklustre” performances.
“He knows that and he works accordingly. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why he doesn’t hang out too much on holiday,” Mola added.
Versatile Argentine international back Juan Cruz Mallia also returns to the southern side.
“It’s good to see the two again. They bring that confidence and that little extra,” said second rower Joshua Brennan.
Clermont fly-half Benjamin Urdapilleta was not relishing coming up against Dupont.
“He couldn’t have waited another week? We don’t have any luck,” the Argentine quipped on French radio.
His side are sixth in the table, one point behind Toulouse.
Leaders Bordeaux-Begles host Perpignan, while second-placed La Rochelle are at Bayonne and struggling Racing 92 play host to third-placed Toulon.
Jaysus, I hope it’s all been done honourably on both sides….he seems a decent honest hard working man.
@Michael Murray:…from a source….Word on the street says he was happy to go and that politics in the munster set up wasn’t what he wanted. He couldn’t buy or attract players cause they wouldn’t finance anything.
Very sorry to see Graham Rowntree go. An honourable man who brought a title to Munster after a 12 year gap. For sure the season so far has been disappointing. A number of factors contributing:-
A desperate need for international class front row forwards. Stephen Archer and John Ryan have done an admirable job but with both at 36 years, they can’t play 80 minutes forever.
Too many absentees due to injuries.
The retirement through injury of Andrew Conway, Keith Earls and Simon Zebo.
The considerable loss of RG Snyman.
We wish GR well and thank him for his contribution.
Felixstowe Jones? Interesting.
@Ivan O’Riordan: zebo left his best years in France. Was only half a player when came home. Can add him as a reason
That none of the players, especially O’Mahony, have yet come out to thank Wig speaks volumes.
@Aidan Farrell: To be fair, they have literally just been told. He probably didn’t get a chance to speak to any of them personally before it was announced. Give them a chance to digest it first.
@Aidan Farrell: that you’re here with another dumb comment speaks volumes.
@Aidan Farrell: why “especially O’Mahony”, troll. Beirne is the captain, any statement should come from him.
Will somebody tell The42 that there are 4 provinces in Ireland!! :)
@Paul Ennis: have their head coaches left as well?
@Paul Ennis: I was saying Boourns
@Paul Ennis: But only 2 teams worth talking about.
@Paul Ennis: Careful now, down with this sort of thing!
@PJ Smith: I know. Mea Culpa.
@PJ Smith: I here you’re a langer now father.
I’d say when he was told that he couldn’t bring in NIQ front row LH, it was the final straw with what I believe was an already stressed relationship with IFRU.
He was apparently offered a leinster academy LH as medical joker which I think he took as an insult. Didn’t get the support either from the Munster board that he should have.
That all said, still a crazy time to depart a week out from the Marque ABs game….
Was honestly shocked with this ..everyone has seen how Munster take ages to get going in a season but then take off and do really well (winners 2 years ago/log leaders last year…would have thought Sean Everett at Edinburgh , plum at the sharks, possible dobson the stormers all would have been on the chopping board before rowntree…he’s obviously hasd some sort of scrap with the Munster bosses over whatever and said FU…given his history at the club and losing in SA that’s surely nowhere near enough for the bosses to want rid of him…maybe the pressure has just got to him .donno
@Stuart: agree. I would imagine that there was a significant difference of opinion on the way forward with decision makers in the organization and he felt as a result it was better to part ways. It sounds like his decision
Felix Jones….
@Keith McCarthy: …and the McManus brothers
I wanted to listen to the Rugby Weekly Extra podcast but the link only took me to my account – I’m a subscriber. Where is the correct link lads?
@Con Cussed: same same, assuming they are re-recording given the Rowntree news!
@Con Cussed: Rugby Rugby.weekly
A lot being said without saying much really. If he walked, what has changed so drastically since the start of the season to force him to such a drastic decision. If not internal relationships, is it squad issues? Munster have faced huge injury lists for the last few years now at the start of the season so nothing new there. Players moving on would have been known before the start of the year so hardly a defining factor at this stage. Surely senior players near the end of their careers shouldn’t have that much sway. If it is just a case that he got tired of it and the struggle with these issues then it may be something he regrets as this is part of the professional game. But in truth it could be totally different and even personal reasons.
I think if it comes out that player power was behind a coup of sorts, the players will be under extreme pressure to perform. The honeymoon period will be extremely short they will find.
@Michael Corkery: Is it Gavin Coombs? *dun dun dun…
and rowntree suddenly feels like a rock of cashel sized weight has been lifted from his shoulders…he can leave all that bitterness behind…
@Patrick Kennedy: and yet here your are still breathing, after carrying more your whole life. Pathetic
ROG??
@TV GUIDE: can I have what you are smoking?
He isn’t leaving La Rochelle any day soon , 3.5 m a year might change his mind
@damien reidy: How about Rob Baxter?
@Conor Lynott:…not the worst suggestion at all!!
@Conor Lynott: Yeah. I was just reading elsewhere that he is under pressure at Exeter. As an experienced and successful head coach, used to working under financial constraints, and who also comes across as a decent guy, he might be just the ticket
I blame Leinster !