Is it a relief to have Antoine Dupont back?Laurent Labit: Every time a player comes back, we are relieved. It adds strength to the team. Even if we are a group of 33 players we can count on, we know their importance, their role is the captain of the team. We are satisfied with his return.
What was the level of engagement in this first group session? It was a moderate intensity session. But we cannot create situations on purpose (shock, Editor’s note). These are very rare and often unintentional situations. It was good for him to get back among his partners so that they could get used to him again, to his different playing qualities. On the rugby level, Antoine must reconnect with the team, with the game.
Are you worried that the South Africans will target Antoine Dupont during the match? If Antoine is on the field on Sunday, he will be at 100% of his mental and physical capabilities. And when he’s at 100%, it’s difficult to mark him. We have no concerns about his physical qualities. Nor on intensity and contacts. If he received the green light from his surgeon, then everything is fine. We don’t need to box him to know.
Antoine Dupont finished training with a helmet. Will he wear it on a Sunday evening? He’s testing it to see how it feels. Whether it really protects or not; if it does not interfere with his vision; the same for hearing. For now, he is testing with and without the helmet. A decision will be made at the end of the week.