The day after the rout of the French XV against Ireland, at the opening of the Six Nations Tournament, Antoine Dupont, who chose to ignore the competition to turn to rugby sevens and the Olympic Games, played in the Top 14 match between Stade Toulousain and Aviron Bayonnais.
A match, won 46 to 26, which he lit up with all his class.
A personal try, a brilliant chistera to send Pita Ahki into the goal, a decisive pass at the end of the wing for Pierre-Louis Barassi or even a precise foot offering to Juan Cruz Mallía.
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Ranking Tournament 6 of Nations
Calendar and results 6 Nations
At the end of this recital, the former captain of the XV of France was questioned by Canal + about the performance of his former teammates.
“I experienced this meeting like everyone else, I think.
It was difficult to see the French team in difficulty, admitted Antoine Dupont.
Playing outnumbered at international level, we know how difficult it is.
The Irish were very well prepared, and the step was too high, I think.
We put too many obstacles in our way.”
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However, he assures that he believes in a revival next Saturday in Edinburgh against the XV du Chardon.
“I'm not worried, they're a group with character and ambition and I'm sure they will raise their heads in the next game in Scotland.”
“The 7th?
There is a lot of excitement and a little worry too..."
Asked about his choice, Antoine Dupont assured that he did not regret his decision to skip the Tournament.
“We always want to play every match.
But, unfortunately, there are only 52 weeks and already too many matches to play.
We can’t be everywhere…”
Finally, he talked about the weeks to come since he will join the French 7s team to train before participating, at the end of the month, in the tournaments in Vancouver and Los Angeles.
“There’s a lot of excitement and a bit of worry too.
It’s a challenge that is super motivating.
I'm going to go there with a studious outfit to learn initially and above all try to perform quickly.