Very much in demand on and off the field, the captain of the XV of France Antoine Dupont is preparing to live a particularly long season, between the World Cup and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to which he aspires. A situation that could push him to take, next, a year off by putting his career on hold.
After a particularly copious and long 2023-2024 season, between the 2023 World Cup and then the 2024 Olympic Games in which he aspires to participate, Antoine Dupont could afford a year of rest and thus put his career on hold. This is what our colleagues from La Dépêche du midi revealthis Tuesday, July 04 and while the captain of the Blues is just beginning his preparation for the World Cup with the XV of France, on the side of Monaco.
If it may surprise, the practice is nevertheless quite common in the southern hemisphere. In the past, some big names in this game have used it, in the past, to regenerate both physically and psychologically and thus escape some time from the pressure inherent in high-level sport. We are talking here about the all blacks legends Richie McCaw and Dan CArter, or more recently the captain of the Australians Michael Hooper, who had confided in the subject of his general exhaustion when taking a few months back.
Freelancing in Japan also under consideration
If nothing is yet recorded, La Dépêche indicates that “this is indeed part of the lines of thought concerning the consequences of the career of the 26-year-old player”. Under contract with Stade Toulousain until 2028, Dupont had also had the possibility of a year of “gap” included at the time of his extension to take the direction of Japan, a much less energy-intensive championship. An option that would also be studied.
Dupont won a third Bouclier de Brennus this year with Stade Toulousain, beating Stade Rochelais in the final. Icon Sport – Icon Sport
Arrata tracked to replace him
In the event that he had to replace him punctually, Stade Toulouse would already be active. In the viewfinder: the scrum-half of neighboring Castres Santiago Arrata, still according to La Dépêche du Midi. Arrata, at the end of the contract next June in the Tarn, is studying its possibilities. Which could be many. After three seasons of very good level, the one who had taken over from Rory Kockott under the colors of the CO is of interest to several Top 14 teams. .
2023-07-04 21:49:03
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