Antoine Dupont headlines our five key talking points from the weekend
By Charlie Elliott
From Antoine Dupont’s ridiculous try-assist to newcomers announcing themselves and familiar faces returning in South Africa, this weekend has been one with plenty of storylines for rugby fans.
Here are five of the main talking points that you need to be up to date with this week:
THAT Antoine Dupont Try Assist
Toulouse scrum-half Antoine Dupont never ceases to amaze rugby fans with some of the things he does, and this outrageous behind-the-back pass assist is yet another in his remarkable highlights package.
His assist helped Toulouse win 22-14 against Pau in the Top 14. With many people firmly believing that Dupont is the best in the world at the minute, absolutely insane plays like this will back up this opinion.
However, other fans aren’t too happy with this praise, with mainly Southern Hemisphere fans insisting that moves like this are nothing new in rugby and that Antoine is being overhyped.
The individual medals that he has won throughout his career as well as being part of some remarkable team accomplishments suggest that this criticism of him may be slightly harsh.
Ibitoye Hero-to-Zero
Staying on the theme of behind-the-back passes, Bristol winger Gabriel Ibitoye produced a spectacular moment of brilliance to snake past several Saracens defenders and offload behind-the-back to Joe Jenkins.
Even though this wasn’t a direct try assist, it led to Fitz Harding securing his hat-trick.
While Dupont is being put into GOAT discussions after his pass, Ibitoye’s game will be remembered for some ill-discipline, with him conceding the last-kick penalty that Saracens won the game from, as well as getting a yellow card in the 14th minute.
It is a shame because he played well but his hero-to-zero performance has been spoken about endlessly online this weekend, with varying opinions from fans about how well he actually played.
Siyo Kolisi Scoring on his Sharks Return
In the URC, loose-forward Siya Kolisi marked his return to The Sharks with a try against Glasgow Warriors, which helped his team win 28-24.
After coming back to his native South Africa following a season at Racing 92, the Springboks international marked his return very promisingly.
People have been talking about just how good it is for the URC to be able to attract players of Kolisi’s calibre, and it can be seen as a reflection of the league hopefully being on the up.
Sharks will hope that it improves their season, with them being in 13th place currently with two wins out of four.
Steve Diamond Chatting with a Chiefs fan Mid-Game
Newcastle Director of Rugby Steve Diamond is truly one of a kind and showed his unique character yet again when he was caught chatting away with an Exeter fan mid-game.
Social media absolutely loved it as it showed the human side of rugby union and something that money can’t buy.
This moment also happened when Newcastle were in their own 22 and holding onto a lead, but with Diamond in the crowd and the rugby world behind them, the Falcons held on and got their first Premiership win in 26 attempts, to the delight of pretty much everyone who doesn’t have an EX in their postcode.
A pure representation of rugby values.
Rodrigo Isgro announces himself to Quins fans
There was a sense of anticipation for the Harlequins vs Bath game, with many believing that it would be won or lost in the England vs Scotland fly-half battle of Marcus Smith vs Finn Russell.
This would end up not being the case, with Argentine winger Rodrigo Isigro announcing himself to not only Quins fans but also the Premiership, with two tries on his debut, and although his side fell to a late defeat, he has been described as one of the players who’s stock rose the most over the weekend.
He has had a lot of success as a sevens player, being named the World Rugby Men’s 7s Player of the Year in 2023.
The international has also featured for his country’s 15s side, being part of the RWC 2023 squad.
Isgro may have been an unknown for some Premiership fans before this weekend, but he has made sure that he won’t be forgotten in a hurry.
READ MORE: Gallagher Premiership Team of the Week
