For his big return to competition, Saturday during Stade Toulousain’s victory over Racing (48-24), Antoine Dupont wasted no time in highlighting himself.
Nearly nine months after his serious knee injury,
Antoine Dupont has made his comebackthis Saturday evening following the overwhelming success of Stade Toulousain against Racing 92, on the occasion of the 11e day of Top 14. Came into play at 50e minute under the ovation of Ernest-Wallon, the captain of the XV of France took only nine minutes to stand out with a decisive foot pass for Mathis Lebel.
“ I felt pretty good. The score started to be taken when I entered so it was easier. The guys did a good job at the end of the match and put me in good conditions so that I could regain sensations quietly », Confided the 29-year-old scrum half after the meeting at the microphone of Canal+.
“ There was a mixture of feelings, he added.
Since the first group training sessions which I was able to do fully, at 100% of my abilities, I immediately felt good. The system hasn’t changed, the guys, I know them by heart, the automation has therefore returned very well. I just need to find all my athletic qualities again. And it gets better and better. I still have a little work to do but the feelings are good. »
“He left to give headaches to a lot of teams”
A return to competition welcomed by its partners. “ He wants to play, have fun and win, he is out to give headaches to a lot of teams “, exclaimed Matthis Lebel. “ He was clean, he’s getting his bearings, it’s nice to see him back on the pitch », For his part declared Guillaume Cramont.
The Stade forwards coach, Jean Bouilhou, was also delighted with the return of Antoine Dupont. “ We weren’t worried, the week had been good, the players really connected (with him), he indicated. And over two or three sequences, we see that he is regaining the fluidity of the game. I don’t have the impression that it takes him a lot of time, he got the hang of the match quickly. » A very good omen for the future.
