Antoine Dupont, the captain of Stade Toulousain, has expressed his mixed feelings following his team's impressive 64-21 victory over Exeter Chiefs in the Champions Cup. While celebrating the victory and his own performance, which included scoring a try, Dupont shared his concerns about his health and some contentious moments during the match.
After the game, Dupont revealed he had suffered from "a sprained thumb," which he insisted was not serious but required immediate attention: "I’m trying to treat it as soon as possible to avoid any complications," he said. Keeping ice on his thumb, Dupont downplayed the injury, calling it "more annoying than serious." Nevertheless, his status for the upcoming match against Lyon on December 22 remains uncertain.
The match against Exeter was marked not only by Toulouse's tactical prowess but also by incidents of what Dupont described as dangerous play, particularly from the English side. He voiced his frustration about late hits and the lack of penalties against such actions, stating, "I don’t understand why these aren't sanctioned more rigorously. It can only be dangerous and goes against the spirit of the game to tackle someone after the play is dead."
Dupont's complaints about the officiation are significant, highlighting the potential risks for players when rules are not enforced stringently. He recounted experiencing several late tackles within the first half, asserting, "I know I take risks with my playing style, but once I pass the ball, I shouldn’t be hit or held down. Some strategies can be employed by teams, but they are prohibited. I hope this will be penalized more strictly in the future." His comments sparked conversations around the need for referees to protect players from aggressive tactics.
Despite these concerns, Dupont was pleased with his team's performance. The victory not only showcased Toulouse’s attacking capabilities—scoring ten tries—but also cemented their strong start in the tournament. Dupont commented, "We checked all the boxes we set for ourselves. Having lost in previous encounters here, we were determined to set things right." He recognized Exeter’s challenging situation, saying, "We knew they were struggling and wanted to start strongly to take away any hope they might have had."
Manager Ugo Mola had also warned his players against becoming complacent after their significant win over Ulster the previous week. The team’s consistency and ability to deliver powerful performances will be key as they move forward, especially with difficult matches against teams like the Sharks coming up in January.
The upcoming match against Lyon presents Dupont another opportunity to lead his team through what he hopes will be another victory. The injury, if manageable, shouldn’t deter him from playing, but his fitness will be watched closely to determine whether he participates. Following the strong showing against Exeter, Dupont's mindset indicates he would prefer to be on the field with his teammates, continuing their Champions Cup campaign with as much fire and determination as he has shown so far this season.
Duplicity between celebrating success and addressing safety concerns is part of what makes Dupont not just a talented player, but also a responsible leader. His advocacy for stricter enforcement of rules is intended to protect not only himself but also his fellow athletes as they continue to compete at high levels of rugby.
