Antoine Dupont’s verdict on potential positional switch after Toulouse boss’ comments

France and Toulouse scrum-half Antoine Dupont has addressed Ugo Mola’s comments about a potential positional switch into the centres.

Toulouse boss Mola stated that Dupont could have a crack at featuring in the midfield for his club upon his return from a well-deserved break.

The scrum-half steered Toulouse to a Top 14 and Champions Cup double last season and spent time away from the XVs game to help France win a Gold Medal in the Olympic Sevens and win the World Rugby SVNS Series.

But when he returns, he could change the number nine jersey for the number 13.

Positional switch?

Earlier this month, Mola said that Dupont was looking for a fresh challenge and although he still wants to continue playing scrum-half, he is eager to try out another position.

“Antoine is the best in his position, there are no longer too many disputes about that,” Mola told Midi Olympique.

“He still wants to play there. However, there is a ‘but’, Antoine Dupont has ants in his pants. He obviously wants to be exposed elsewhere.”

Last season Dupont filled in at fly-half on occasion to ease an injury crisis in the role but it is not the number 10 jumper where he will be tested because of the depth that Thomas Ramos, Blair Kinghorn and Juan Cruz Mallia provide behind Romain Ntamack.

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Instead, it is at outside centre.

“Antoine at centre and especially at 13, is where he wants to try to play in a few games,” Mola added. “We want to expose him, but exposing him does not weaken him, so we have to find the right fuel.”

After claiming two awards at the Nuit de Rugby evening on Monday, Dupont was asked about his head coach’s comments that he was keen to try another position.

“Ugo Mola likes to talk to the media and answer questions. There are things to take and things to leave in what he says,” Dupont remarked with a chuckle.

“But already, with the objectives we will have this year with the club and the French team, I will have enough things to manage.”

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‘Curious’ Antoine Dupont’

Directly commenting on the potential of a positional switch, Dupont said that he is always “curious” and regularly switches roles in training to test himself.

“This is a discussion we had with Ugo Mola some time ago. I am curious in everyday life, but also on the pitch,” he added.

“So every time, in training, I try to move from my number nine position and try to find other freedoms on the pitch, even if I already have a lot in my position. But from there to it materialising in a match, I don’t think we are there yet.”

The French captain is set to return to the pitch for Toulouse in mid-October after an extended break from a long and successful 2023/24 season.

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