Champions Cup – Antoine Dupont (Toulouse): “We have to be satisfied with what we achieved in the group stage”
Even if Stade Toulousain finished only one point from first place in their group after their success without a bonus against Munster (20-16), captain Antoine Dupont wants to retain his team’s flawless course and evacuate any possible frustration, before joining the XV of France to prepare for the Tournament.
What inspired you Munster’s adversity ?
This team has remained in what it masters and in the mentality that we know of it, of not giving up, despite a very good start on our part. We took a long time to score, to break them. Even if the Irish were losing ground, they were still in place and continued to go up, to be aggressive. Little by little, the domination was reversed a little. We were in place defensively but we made too many mistakes, which allowed them to come back to our side and score tries too easily. On arrival, we find ourselves with a tight score all match, to win on the wire.
You finish second in the pool, for one point. Is there a taste of unfinished?
We can always do better but we must also be satisfied with what we have achieved. The team has won its four pool matches and the ratio is more than positive. Even if there will be things to complain about in the ground game and the discipline. That cost us the most and kept them in the game. We were challenged for balls in the rucks and we lost the rhythm of the game. We went from scrum to hits, and they were perhaps more comfortable than us in this scenario. It was still a big team and, when it gets stung, it responds. From the 30th minute, she reacted.
We sometimes had the impression that you lacked solutions in the face of the Irish defence. As a scrum-half, did you feel it too?
Yeah, I kind of had that feeling too. In any case, I had the impression that we were a bit split in two at times, that we weren’t all playing in the same direction. We therefore lacked support in particular and we put them in a certain defensive comfort. It has happened, on several occasions, that they are in excess and it is easier to defend oneself that way.
At half-time, did you find yourself torn between ensuring victory or aiming for the bonus and therefore first place?
No, we were already aiming for victory and didn’t have the comfort to talk about anything else. We also wanted to accept this Munster team who challenged us. Winning was the main objective.
Whether Thomas Ramos in the first part of the season or Melvyn Jaminet in the last two games, the success of your scorers is a constant in major events…
Of course. There were complicated but successful features at key points in the game. This allows you to always have air. We know the importance of scoring points on foot, whether penalties or drops, in the final stages too. So, if we can maintain it, it will be a good thing.
You will receive the Bulls in the round of 16. What do you think ?
We learned that and we will have time to prepare it, to prepare this match well. This is why a team that we are not used to facing. We say to ourselves that it is better to receive it than to move. In this regard, it’s already not bad.
You switch to the preparation of the 6 Nations Tournament with the XV of France. What state of mind are you in?
These are always special moments when you leave the club to go to the selection. But it’s better to leave with a good position in the Top 14 and in the Champions Cup. The team is confident, everyone has had playing time and has risen to the occasion, all the lights are green for the club, with two receptions coming up and which are essential. For those who are leaving, it’s good to have this week of preparation to get back into the swing of things and get back to normal.
What do you expect from this Tournament?
The draw is for this year, with three trips. Especially since we won the competition last year and we have to assume this status. We will wait but the dynamic is positive and we must not stagnate, especially on the game, because the others are watching us well.