Author of a recital on Sunday against La Rochelle, Antoine Dupont claims to have regained his level of play, just one month after his return from injury. “I have no more excuses for the future,” he warned.
Stade Toulousain ended the year (very) well. For their last match in 2025, the Rouge et Noir in fact destroyed La Rochelle at Ernest-Wallon (60-14) with no less than nine tries scored and the offensive bonus point which allows them to regain first place in the ranking despite the two penalty points inflicted by the League following the Jaminet affair.
And if the Stadium blazed in front of its audience on Sunday, it owes it in particular to Antoine Dupont, author of a masterful performance for his second match as a starter since his return from injury a month ago. In addition to his two personal tries, the former Castres added two assists, 19 races with the ball in hand with no less than 11 defenders beaten and 65 meters gained and an impeccable kicking game.
The native of Lannemezan did not shy away from his pleasure at the end of the meeting. “I’ve had worse matches than this one! I try a lot, sometimes it works, sometimes less. This evening it worked more than not.”he confided in front of the microphones. And according to him, just one month after his return to the field after eight months of absence, Antoine Dupont has already regained his best level.
I feel like before honestly, I have no discomfort. I found my rugby again quite quickly, he said. I had some apprehensions at the beginning, that’s normal after an injury like that. But honestly I regained all my faculties quite quickly. I have no more excuses for what comes next. Well, if it continues like this, I hope my knee leaves me alone. »
“I have never worked so hard in my life”
“When I got back on the pitch, I felt that the rugby and the connection with the guys around me came back very quickly. I still had some work remaining on the athletic qualities but that came back quite quickly with a little work all the same, he elaborated. I put myself in the best conditions to come back, I have never worked so hard in my life and for so long. It was not to come back half-heartedly. I’m happy today to see that it all paid off. »
And if Stade Toulousain secured the honorary title of autumn champion thanks to this victory, the main thing is elsewhere for Antoine Dupont. “I don’t think there’s anyone on the team who wants to be fall champion. But we know it’s important for the future,” he said, wanting to be clear about his objectives: “Trying to win everything… like every year I want to say. Unfortunately…well fortunately I play in teams, whether France or Toulouse, capable of winning all the competitions in which they participate. There will obviously be the European Cup and the championship with Toulouse, the 6 Nations which will arrive. It will already be a busy schedule. »
