Toulouse scrum-half Antoine Dupont has spoken out ahead of the Champions Cup matchday three clash with Ulster on Saturday night. A trip he wants Stade Toulouse to take very seriously despite their last two successes in Northern Ireland.
After your big win against Lyon (45-0) can we say you are in good shape ahead of your move to Ulster?
From a pragmatic point of view, yes, but I don’t know if there are good conditions for traveling there. Racing 92 especially cut their teeth and we know the quality of this team. He is doing very well in the European Cup and even more so at home. They are confident and have very good results. We have met with them several times and in previous years it worked out well for us. They may have additional motivation to do so.
Against Lyon we felt playful, with a lot of attempts at restarts. Is this the 2024 version of Dupont we’re getting a glimpse of?
Above all, I believe that the character of the match wanted it. It was a very open encounter from both sides, with even Lyon always trying to add volume to the game, even in their camp at times. Maybe we opened the game too much, too many individual initiatives at the beginning of the match. I personally find myself in this game. After that, when the score is largely and dominates, it is easier to have favorable situations.
Did you learn anything from this match against Racing 92? In the play style of your future opponent?
They were forced to change the game because changing the field is no small thing. Especially given the conditions in Northern Ireland. We saw that they remained in their properties. Ulster are very good on the ball and every time they get to us, through our mistake or their footwork, they can score points, tries. It’s a team that keeps the ball well, does the simple things, but does them very well.
It’s a very important matchup to stay on top and kind of control the rest of your journey. Is this a crucial game for Stade Toulouse?
As much as we started the campaign very well with 10 points in the standings, if we lose the next two we know what it will be like. From the beginning the goal was to place as high as possible, we know how important it is to receive in the final stage. There is no need to do many calculations, we are in a good position at the moment. It will be a tough trip but if we win it could put us in a good position for the future.
“The level of the referees increases at the same time as the level of the players”
One can still feel that the prestige of Ulster has once again equaled that of Munster or Leinster. Is that an equally enticing challenge for you?
In any case, we are equally careful about it. Maybe on a marketing level, but we know the value of this team. What they are capable of in the league and even in the big games. They gave a little more intensity to the European Cup than they did to the championship. They have also strengthened with a few players and many players have become internationals under their colors. In this team, there is homogeneity due to the continuity of the team.
What do you think of the level of refereeing in the Champions Cup? Are they perhaps more selective than in the Top 14?
I think the level of the referees is increasing along with the level of the players. In the Champions Cup, I feel that we are approaching the international level. Especially for cynical fouls, players who prevent the release of balls, prevent the quick progress of the game, offsides, exchange of kicks, so many points that they suffer a lot. Referees a lot in threes with more assistants present than in the championship. We have to raise the level of our discipline. These are not major changes, but they should be taken into account.
We know that referees and their hobbies are being watched. As a captain, did anything during the week make you pay more attention?
Mr. Carley and I know each other well. I know that if he has something to say to me, he will tell me before the game. We have met several times, the exchanges are fluid, I have specifics. If he is focused on me or the team, he will share it with me. But it’s easier when you know the umpires than when you meet them for the first time like at Harlequins, although we’ve adapted to this game.