Dupont brilliant in Top 14 return, but injury concerns for France flyhalf
WRAP: France scrumhalf Antoine Dupont made an impressive return to the Top 14 on Saturday by scoring a quickfire hat-trick of tries.
The scrumhalf made a temporary switch from the 15-man code to spark his country to Sevens glory at the Paris Olympics in July.
The 27-year-old then enjoyed a lengthy vacation in the United States but the break has not dented his competitive edge as he led Toulouse to a resounding 48-14 win over Clermont.
Dupont came on in the 45th minute off the bench to a standing ovation from the Stade Ernest Wallon crowd after which a mere four minutes later the scrumhalf went over for the first of his three tries.
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He added two more in quick succession in the 56th and 58th minutes respectively which had been set-up by Italian wing Ange Capuozzo.
Capuozzo dotted down for Toulouse’s first try in the 27th minute with hooker Peato Mauvaka crossing the line for their second try as the champions went into the break holding a 20-0 lead.
France fullback Thomas Ramos added a sixth try in the closing stages of the match.
Clermont bagged two second-half tries through loose forward Killian Tixeront and centre Pierre Fouyssac.
“Everything wasn’t perfect but the players had fun,” said Toulouse skills coach David Mele.
Dupont’s last appearance in a Toulouse jersey came in their crushing Top 14 Final victory against Bordeaux-Begles in June.
Toulouse struggled in Dupont’s absence, suffering consecutive defeats against Bordeaux-Begles which marked their first home loss since February 2022 followed by a loss to Castres last weekend.
Toulouse’s joy at Dupont’s return was dampened when France flyhalf Romain Ntamack limped off with an ankle injury moments before half-time.
The 37-time capped Ntamack, who was replaced by Argentina’s Juan Cruz Mallia could be in doubt for the November Test series where France face Japan, New Zealand and Argentina.
Ntamack has not featured for the France national side since August 2023 when he suffered ruptured knee ligaments against Scotland which ruled him out of the 2023 World Cup.
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Down in Paris, former England captain Owen Farrell said he’s feeling increasingly comfortable at Racing 92 following his side’s 22-6 victory over the visiting Toulon.
Farrell played the full 80 minutes as the Parisians recorded their third win of the season.
Farrell didn’t score any points as scrumhalf Nolann Le Garrec had the kicking responsibilities and slotted 17 points off the boot.
“I’m feeling comfortable. I feel like I’ve been here for a while now. I feel like I’m more and more myself,” Farrell said, speaking in English at the post-match press conference.
“The language is still a little bit of a barrier at times, but I feel I’m understanding more what’s being said. I listen a lot and there’s a lot that speak very good English in the team. I’ve got to speed up my French, so I can get points across quicker.”
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In the other clashes – table topping Bordeaux-Begles scored 10 tries as they hammered Perpignan by 66-12 with Matthieu Jalibert, Enzo Reybier and Roman Buros all grabbing a brace.
La Rochelle suffered a 7-37 loss to Bayonne away from home as Manu Tuilagai who returned from a pre-season hand injury made a convincing Top 14 debut.
The centre made his presence felt when he flattened France captain No.8 Gregory Alldritt in the 32nd minute with a crunching tackle.
Tuilagai’ centre partner Sireli Maqala also crossed the line for his fifth try of the season.
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