Antoine Dupont reflects on the significance of playing at Twickenham and the importance of preparation for the upcoming match against England. He emphasizes confidence in Matthieu Jalibert’s playmaking abilities and the team’s unity in strategy. Dupont addresses the pressure of high balls and the unpredictability of aerial contests while acknowledging England’s potential motivation from their previous defeat. He also notes the challenge posed by Marcus Smith as full-back, highlighting the need for adaptability in their game plan.
You hold three victories against England, including a memorable 53-10 triumph at Twickenham two years ago. Does the Crunch still hold a special place in your heart?
Antoine Dupont: Absolutely, we cannot underestimate the significance of playing at Twickenham. It’s always a monumental event; these matches carry immense weight. While we’ve celebrated some victories, we’ve also faced defeats, so it’s crucial to keep that in mind. Nevertheless, it’s a tremendous honor to compete here.
Preparing for the Showdown
Have you adjusted your preparation for this match compared to the one against Wales?
No, every match of this caliber demands the best preparation possible. Given the context of both teams, we strive to approach this encounter with optimal strategy and technical execution. This match is just as vital as any other in the Tournament.
Confidence in Matthieu Jalibert
After a swift victory over Wales, what do you expect this Saturday?
We recognize that the intensity will likely be much higher. We’re fully aware of the caliber of players they possess, especially when playing at home. Their recent performances haven’t met their ambitions, so we anticipate a much more vigorous start from them.
In the last game, most offensive plays went through you. Will your approach change with a different fly-half like Matthieu Jalibert, who has a more playmaking style than Romain Ntamack?
Our strategy remains unchanged. The game plan does not shift based on the player in the number 10 position. Matthieu is well-versed in our system; he’s been part of it for several years. We have complete faith in him. Although Matthieu and Romain have different strengths, we share a strong rapport from our time playing together, and that connection extends to the entire team.
As captain, what topics does the coaching staff discuss with you?
We have a close-knit group of leaders who frequently communicate with the staff and Fabien. I’m not the only voice in these discussions. It’s essential for us to align our on-field actions with the coaches’ vision. We’ve developed an understanding of when to speak up about what works for us and what doesn’t. To maintain this trust, we hold weekly meetings.
You mentioned about the Blues’ record: “An 80% win rate without a trophy means little.” Some interpreted this as a critique of Fabien Galthié…
At the time, I wasn’t calculating that statistic. It was later discussed extensively. Of course, achieving such a win rate is impressive for any French team, and we acknowledge that. My intention was to express our desire for more and our ambition to win titles. It was not contradictory to previous statements; it simply reflects our goals.
Two years ago, you handed England a heavy defeat at Twickenham. Do you think they’ll use that as motivation?
As I mentioned, every match in this Tournament is crucial. If they aim for victory, they cannot afford to lose points at home. They will certainly take that past match into consideration. However, we also remember last year’s game where we narrowly avoided defeat at home thanks to Thomas’ penalty. The intensity in this Tournament is so tight that anything can happen. Both teams are aware of this, and tomorrow’s match will present a completely different scenario.
Are you bracing for pressure from high balls? What strategies are in place to counter that?
We cannot predict their exact strategy. We have observed that they have employed a pressure kicking game recently, a trend among many teams due to the new rules prohibiting escorts. Aerial contests can be unpredictable, either favoring or disadvantaging a team. We are prepared for all possibilities and have trained throughout the week to adapt to whatever they present us during the match.
With Marcus Smith starting at full-back, how does that change the game?
His performance at full-back against Ireland was solid, and he had a good outing last year when he came on early against us. We know he poses a significant threat as a counter-attacker, capable of creating advantages on almost any play, whether he’s at 10 or 15. With another number 10, Fin Smith, leading the game, they will likely focus on maintaining possession. It will be up to us to adjust accordingly, and we’ll find out quickly what strategies they’ve devised right from the kickoff.
Statements gathered during a press conference