Leinster comprehensively defeated Toulouse within the semi-finals of the Champions Cup in 2022 and 2023, with well-executed gameplans to close down Dupont.
For big parts of the ultimate in London, his attacking menace was once more nullified however this time the 27-year-old confirmed his magic on the breakdown.
“We have not seen Dupont’s attacking sport right now however he has made 4 or 5 match-defining turnovers,” former England wing Chris Ashton informed BBC Radio 5 Stay. “He is been a ball-stealing machine.”
The sport was billed as potential match-up between Toulouse’s blistering assault – which ran in 46 tries en path to the ultimate – in opposition to Leinster coach Jacques Nienaber’s blitz defence.
Regardless of there being no tries in 80 minutes, it displayed the French aspect’s willpower to ship the sixth star by way of any means doable.
Toulouse boss Ugo Mola praised his captain’s work on the bottom and picked out two of his steals – each on the tryline – as very important moments.
A type of got here when Leinster hooker Dan Sheehan broke clear and appeared set to attain the sport’s opening strive, solely to be denied by an excellent try-saving deal with from full-back Blair Kinghorn.
With fast ball nearly definitely giving the Irish province a rating, Dupont was there to win a significant turnover.
It was no coincidence that the Toulouse star was the primary participant on the breakdown.
After enjoying for the France Sevens staff at tournaments in February and March in a bid to make it to a house Olympics, Dupont is seeing a few of the advantages of enjoying the shorter, quicker sport now he’s again in 15s.
“Enjoying in sevens the rucks are actually essential,” mentioned Dupont. “It’s one thing I labored on, so it’s an asset I gained from there.”
Obsession is usually why superstars get to the highest and after France have been knocked out of a house World Cup on the quarter-final stage by South Africa final yr, an enormous legacy-defining second disappeared in entrance of him.
Dupont might by no means once more get the chance to win a house World Cup, however his quest for Olympic glory appears to be driving him on to even increased requirements.
The scrum-half flies out to Madrid on Monday to play for France within the Svns Grand Closing and can then return for Toulouse’s bid to clinch the Prime 14 title earlier than making an attempt so as to add Olympic gold to his unimaginable assortment.