Dupont ends resistance of plucky Cardiff all-sorts

By ROGER PANTING

Cardiff ………………7pts

Tries: Adams 20 Conversions: Tovey 20

Toulouse ……….39pts

Tries: Jelonch 23, Ahki 38, Dupont 56, Bonneval 65, Tekori 75

Conversions: Ntamack 23, 38, 56, 75

Penalties: Ntamack 7, 15

AN ANTOINE Dupont masterclass illustrated why he is currently the best player in the world as the mercurial scrum-half destroyed any hopes held by Cardiff.

Due to Covid restrictions, most of Cardiff 's players were still in quarantine following their abortive trip to South Africa with no fewer than 32 players unavailable.

Fortunately they were able to call on six Welsh internationals in their starting line-up who had not travelling to South Africa but they were still left with five debutants including the whole front row.

Massive credit must be given to them for cobbling together a competitive side in such a short space of time and, Dupont apart, they were nearly a match for the reigning European champions.

Cardiff 's academy manager, Gruff Rees, headed the coaching operation in place of their director of rugby, Dai Young, who was also forced into quarantine.

Rees said: “It was a remarkable effort and I'm chuffed we put some good rugby on show to fluster them a bit and make it scary for them.

“We probably left a couple of tries out there but there was a bit of Corinthian spirit about what we've done. At 20-7 there could have been a score either way but then you are done by three or four class moments from the world player of the year. ”

Dupont was magnificent as he manufactured his side's first two tries before sealing victory with a solo effort.

Despite inflicting a record home defeat in Europe for Cardiff, Toulouse weren't overly impressive and the final score line flattered them as a 15 point winning margin would have been more reflective of the game.

The home side were buoyed by a combative back-row and whole-hearted effort from a very inexperience front row with backs, Tomos Williams and Uilisi Halaholo, not taking the easy option as they tried to give their opponents some nervous moments in defence.

Cardiff conceded a couple of early scrum penalties and from the second, Romain Ntamack kicked the visitors into the lead. Ntamack soon added another before the hosts produced their first attack and it paid dividends.

A well-judged kick from Halaholo forced Toulouse into conceding a 5m scrum from where a well-timed pass from Williams provided Josh Adams with an easy run-in.

The French were stunned into an immediate response with Dupont bursting away to hand off Jason Tovey. The scrumhalf then fed Ntamack, who sent Anthony Jelonch in under the posts.

Ntamack converted but was off-target with a penalty before Toulouse extended their lead. Again Dupont was the architect, brushing aside Tovey to win a platform in the home 22.

With the Cardiff defence stretched, powerful centre Pita Ahki proved too strong for a weak challenge from young wing, Theo Cabango, to cross and give his side a 20-7 half-time lead.

After the restart, Blues had a great chance to keep in contention when Ellis Jenkins intercepted a pass and looked set to score until Ahki's excellent cover tackle hauled the flanker down five metres short.

It was rough justice on Cardiff when Toulouse scored their third try. The hosts lost a line-out and Dupont proved unstoppable as two would-be tacklers were left trailing in his wake. And it was Dupont's superb cross-field kick which Arthur Bonneval collected for the bonuspoint try.

Cardiff 's spirited effort was marred by the late red card for Jacob Beetham for a high challenge. Toulouse capitalised with Joe Tekori finishing off a driving lineout.