Five weeks after returning to the field, the Toulouse star, author of an XXL performance against La Rochelle on Sunday evening, has already found his best level. Anything but chance…
It didn’t take him long to unleash passions again and ignite social networks. If we had to summarize the content of the thousands of comments: “The best player in the world is back.” Sunday evening, for his first start in the Top 14 since his return to the field on November 29, Antoine Dupont did everything. But really everything.
A high pass to send Ange Capuozzo to the test. Another assist, this time on the foot, for Teddy Thomas. Two personal tests, including the first authoritarian: thrust to take a gap between three La Rochelle defenders, commotion on the hooker, acceleration… Let’s add a 50/22 full of control to obtain a gleaming statistics line: 19 races, 11 defenders beaten, 3 crossings, 0 lost balls…
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Top 14: Toulouse’s superb test sparked by a brilliant chistera from Antoine Dupont (video)
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During the 60 minutes he spent on the Stadium pitch, the Stade Toulousain scrum-half was omnipresent. Always sticking to the ball, directing the game at a perfect tempo, creating gaps for his teammates. An already top physique and a strategic vision above the rest. Good foot, good eye. What is surprising is not so much that Antoine Dupont has become Antoine Dupont again, but the speed with which the captain of the XV of France has regained his best level.
Victim at the beginning of March of a cruciate ligament rupture – the second in the same knee, the right -, the Toulouse resident returned to competition just a month ago. 30 minutes against Racing 92, 36 in the Champions Cup against the Durban Sharks, a first start the following week in Glasgow (69 minutes of play, a try and an assist for Kalvin Gourgues), 25 minutes already at a high level last week against Lyon and, therefore, an hour against the Rochelais. That’s 220 minutes accumulated for, already, a first masterclass.
In the front row, pillar Cyril Baille enjoyed it. “The Martian made the Martian. When he’s like that, you can’t say anything. He’s the engine of the team.” And to add, in no way jaded: “Of course he still impresses. It’s not Antoine Dupont for nothing. It’s an honor to play with guys like that. Being able to evolve alongside him is something quite incredible. What he achieved (Sunday evening)it’s crazy!”
Switzerland, Doha, Los Angeles…, stages of his rehabilitation
And this is by no means a coincidence. After the recital, the Olympic rugby sevens champion presented himself to the press. And insisted on one point: “I’m not going to lie, it didn’t come back on its own. I put myself in the best conditions to come back. I have never worked so hard in my life, and for so long, because I didn’t want to come back half-heartedly. I’m happy to see that it all paid off.”rejoiced Antoine Dupont, without falling into the ridicule of false modesty. During his convalescence, he neglected no detail, no opportunity, passing through centers specialized in high performance in Switzerland and Los Angeles. Even stopping by for a week at the renowned Aspetar clinic in Doha.
“I feel like before, I have no discomfort. I found my rugby again quite quickly. I had some apprehensions at the very beginning, that’s normal after an injury like that, but I regained my abilities quite quickly. An observation shared by Clément Poitrenaud, coach in charge of the backs. “Antoine took a little time to get his feelings back, and that’s normal after almost a season without playing. But (Sunday evening), he led the game in a remarkable way, he took initiatives as he is capable of doing. We have the feeling of having found a “Toto” almost 100%.”
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And soon the XV of France
Good news for all fans of the beautiful game. There were a little over a million of them watching Canal + on Sunday evening to follow the star. An audience record for a regular season match since 2014. Good news also for the French XV and its coach, Fabien Galthié. A big month before the opening of the Six Nations Tournament – against Ireland on February 5 at the Stade de France – the express return of the best player in the world is already making people salivate.
