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'What a shame': Dupont's masterclass leaves discontent over upcoming move
A masterclass performance from France superstar Antoine Dupont has left a hollow feeling for some as the realisation he won’t play in this year’s Six Nations.
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The Toulouse No 9 took apart Ulster in a genius performance as the French club piled on the points to race ahead 41-10 through three quarters of the match.
A clinical set-piece play by Toulouse opened proceedings after a ripper pass from Dupont to the midfield and a deft chip kick for left wing Matthis Lebel.
It should be illegal to be as good as Dupont was tonight…and thankfully the Toulouse coaches have realised this by taking him off#ULSST #ThanksToulouse pic.twitter.com/JdXLWqZGxF
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) January 13, 2024
Dupont then offered an assist for Peato Mauvaka before scoring two himself as he clocked up 173 running metres with two line breaks.
The 27-year-old popped up everywhere, tormenting Ulster with his electric running game and vision. His offloads and support play created many chances and half-breaks for the visitors.
On a counter-attack in the backfield, Dupont was influential in setting up another try finding Lebel underneath with a switch play at the perfect time.
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Quand t'as l'impression qu'ils ont mis le jeu en mode facile.
Le @StadeToulousain poursuit sa démonstration sous la conduite d'@Dupont9A ❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/Bo2vbjy3JD
— Investec Champions Cup France (@ChampionsCup_FR) January 13, 2024
The stunning performance left some with discontent over his move to SVNS which will see him miss this year’s Six Nations in preparation for the Olympics.
Dupont is expected to make his SVNS debut in Vancouver in February after attending camps in January with the national side.
France will attempt to make up for a disappointing Rugby World Cup campaign in 2023 without their star scrumhalf during the Six Nations.
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Antoine Dupont exhibition here in Belfast.
Outrageous talent. What a shame we won’t see him in the Six Nations.
— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) January 13, 2024
Toulouse looking the best side in Europe in that 1st-Half by some distance.
So fluid, so powerful.
If they were just a little bit more clinical, the game would be over.
Dupont treating Ravenhill like his back garden.
— Stephen Wall (@StephenWall1985) January 13, 2024
As an Irishman, all I can say is that I'm glad Antoine Dupont is getting a much deserved break from the Six Nations this year.
He's deserves a rest – and should probably take Mauvaka and Jelonch on holiday with him too.#ULSST
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) January 13, 2024
Mauvaka and Dupont must be the best combination in the world. Both are absolutely ridiculous. Always seems to be on each other's shoulder#ULSvST#InvestecChampionsCup
— Adam Moursy (@adammoursy) January 13, 2024
Antoine Dupont is so good – He’s just a freak of rugby nature #ULSvTOU
— John Carmody (@techie_fan) January 13, 2024
Watch Dupont’s masterclass against Ulster below
– Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
– Antoine Dupont…
– Il est où ?
– Partout! Il est partout!Sous le choc, les irlandais témoignent…@Dupont9A @StadeToulousain #DupontEverywhere #InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/R9xaYUZipH
— Investec Champions Cup France (@ChampionsCup_FR) January 13, 2024
Comments on RugbyPass
Danny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
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5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
4 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
38 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
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1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
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5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
35 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
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