We use essential cookies and third-party cookies for content.

English Woman's Journal - Dupont wants Toulouse to retain 'spontaneity' in Champions Cup final

Dupont wants Toulouse to retain 'spontaneity' in Champions Cup final

SPORTS 24.05.2024
Dupont wants Toulouse to retain 'spontaneity' in Champions Cup final
Dupont wants Toulouse to retain 'spontaneity' in Champions Cup final / Photo: ROMAIN PERROCHEAU - AFP

Toulouse captain Antoine Dupont has urged his side to keep faith with their attacking game when they face fellow European heavyweights Leinster in Saturday's Champions Cup rugby final.

Change text size:

Toulouse, already the record five-time champions of Europe, have been the team of this season's tournament, averaging over six tries per match on their way to this weekend's showpiece game in London.

France scrum-half star Dupont is the cornerstone of an impressive back division also featuring Test team-mate Romain Ntamack at fly-half.

But finals can often be cagey affairs and Leinster -- themselves four-time European champions -- boast a wealth of Ireland international talent in both attack and defence.

Dupont told a pre-match press conference on Friday: "It's still a special game, in a special venue, in a special context. Still, we should keep our trademark spontaneity."

South Africa's World Cup-winning coach Jacques Nienaber is now a member of Leinster's backroom staff, with the Dublin-based side looking to go one better after losing the last two Champions Cup finals to La Rochelle.

Nienaber oversaw a Springbok side at last year's World Cup in France that won their quarter-final, semi-final and the final itself by a point -- a run culminating with captain Siya Kolisi lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy after a 12-11 victory over arch-rivals New Zealand.

"They went for him (Nienaber) to get his experience of knockout stages, of important games," said Dupont, a member of a France side edged out 29-28 by South Africa in an epic quarter-final.

"We focused on ourselves while adapting to this team whose game changed a bit but that is still the simple things very well, as usual.

"Their attacking game, with this capacity to hold the ball for a while, good and fast rucks, a quality kicking game -- they kept all this while trying to get a new approach defensively."

Saturday's match is being played at the home of Premier League football club Tottenham, with Dupont saying: "The stadium is quite impressive. There's not much rugby played here. The size of the pitch is peculiar, with a very small (in-goal) area and tight touchlines."

But with the stadium boasting a capacity of over 60,000, the 27-year-old playmaker added: "We have to enjoy those moments, to experience a final in such a beautiful stadium. I hope there will be a lot of Toulouse supporters in the stands."

T.Burns--EWJ

Featured

Paul George Scores 36 as Celtics Defeat Sixers 123-101 to Take East Lead

The Boston Celtics claimed first place in the Eastern Conference on Tuesday night, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 123-101 at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Paul George led all scorers with 36 points in his return to Philadelphia, while a decisive third-quarter run extended Boston's lead and dropped the Sixers to second place.

Mets President David Stearns Expresses Confidence in Marcus Semien's Motivation

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has identified Marcus Semien’s self-motivation as the primary factor in his potential recovery from an underwhelming debut season. Speaking at the general managers meetings in Las Vegas, Stearns affirmed that the team remains confident in Semien’s ability to improve, even as they evaluate other infield options for next year.

FA Cup Second-Round Draw Confirmed for Non-League and Midlands Clubs

The FA Cup second-round draw has been finalized, setting up crucial ties for non-league teams aiming to reach the third round proper. Several clubs from the Midlands, including Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers, have secured their next opponents following recent victories over lower-league opposition.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

Change text size: