The Twickenham Stoop is set to host a star-studded contest this Sunday, as Harlequins take on Toulouse in the second round of the Champions Cup pool stages. With talent shining throughout the squad of Stade Toulousain, one player who Quins have been sure to keep an eye on is French maestro Antoine Dupont.
Les Bleus’ captain returned to his Toulouse duties shortly after his side were eliminated by the Springboks in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals. Dupont has guided his side to three wins out of their last five matches, and up to sixth in the Top 14. The scrum-half stamped his mark on the opening round of the Champions Cup, as Toulose dismantled Cardiff 52-7 last Saturday. Harlequins Head Coach Danny Wilson discussed the threat which Dupont brings to the Stoop, ahead of this Sunday’s hotly anticipated meeting.
“Yes, because as you understand, I think he’s a world class rugby player. You know, very dangerous and we have to be fully aware of him and how he attacks and what he can do. So it’s certainly something that we’re aware of and preparing for.”
“No, I wouldn’t say a target on his back. I just think it’s an awareness and understanding where he can cause you problems and what your defensive strategy is to one, avoid those situations or two, deal with them when they come up.”
Despite the threat that the likes of Dupont, Thomas Ramos and Blair Kinghorn pose from a Toulousain perspective, Wilson is confident in the abilities of his top Harlequins talents. Beginning with Marcus Smith, the fly half had an outstanding game against Racing 92, as he contributed a try and an almighty drop goal on the road to victory in the La Defense Arena. Wilson believes that this was Smith’s best performance of this season, and fully backs his talisman’s skillset, ahead of another battle with a top French side.
“It’s not been a focus in training so to speak (drop goals), but that option is there and if it’s the right decision at the right time, Marcus has the ability as we know to execute it and he did exactly that. So that was more on Marcus. A great spot.
“You know, it wasn’t something we purposely built to try and do. But they kind of, if that’s there for him. He has the ability and as you said, he nailed it, along with his contribution in the game again was outstanding. I thought he was very, very good best game of the season for me so far.”
Wilson then discussed the talents that centre Will Joseph and back-row Alex Dombrandt have been bringing to the Stoop in recent weeks. Both players have been in fine form throughout the 2023/24 campaign, yet are enjoying alternating journeys ahead of the 2024 Six Nations. Joseph has kicked into his stride with hopeful ambitions of a senior England test debut, following the vacancy left by former Harlequin Joe Marchant. Whilst contrastingly, Dombrandt’s motivation to return to the England squad has seen him produce marquee performances, after missing out on the Rugby World Cup squad.
“Yeah, big shoes to fill wasn’t there for Harlequins.” Wilson added about Will Joseph. “He’s done that so far. But again, he got a lot more to come. He’s a young man, I think you consider his opposite number who he was up against (Gael Fickou – Racing 92) and how he performed, I thought it was a brilliant performance for him.
“I think it would have done him the world good in his confidence, but it is one game at a time and as cliche (as that sounds). But for him, as a young man coming into the squad and building his consistency, again is important. I thought he started that off really well against Racing.
“I think he’s (Alex Dombrandt) is in great form at the moment, I think he’s coming back after the maybe disappointment of missing out (on the Rugby World Cup) and applied himself brilliantly. I think he’s playing really well, he’s worked hard on areas he’s wanted to, his collision work has been really good. A try, (against Racing) as an example of what he can do that’s different.
“He can do things that other players, just straight ‘up and down’ players in terms of carriers or collision players (can’t) do. Alex offers more than that. He has a good understanding of the game, there’s his ability to offload, his running lines are superb. His jackling, in terms of winning contact area penalties for us, his defence game, he’s getting better and better, and he’s got to be in a really good place to put his name forward (for England), from my point of view.
Another Harlequins stalwart who has been worthy of recent praise, Joe Marler remains one of the top talents at the Stoop and is equally loved for his presence both on and off the pitch. One of rugby’s most charismatic characters, questions marks have begun to appear around the loose-head prop’s future, yet the 33-year-old has shown no intention to slow down. Despite speculation that he follow the likes of Jonny May, Courtney Lawes and Ben Youngs in hanging up his test match boots, Marler remains in contention for the 2024 Six Nations and is firmly amongst future Harlequins plans.
Speaking on the discussions around Marler’s immediate future, Danny Wilson put the rumours to bed and reiterated how to the best of his knowledge, Joe is staying at the Stoop. Wilson discussed how welcoming the iconic prop was to the coach, and how he’s loved getting to know the loose-head.
“He’s somebody I’ve really enjoyed working with since I’ve been here. He’s been again, one of those senior players has been a brilliant help to me. He’s an extremely passionate Harlequin and extremely passionate rugby man. He’s playing really well at the moment. He’s bit banged up after the weekend, but he’s played a fair bit coming back out of the World Cup.
“But he’s been excellent. I’ve been really pleased with Marler, in particular (against) Sale, I think Sale he was really physical and set the tone for us. So the big figurehead here, and he’s doing a brilliant job so far. And, you know, I think we have to obviously make sure we manage these boys in the same way. Joe is in that same bracket, because obvious reasons. But so far, I think he’s doing an excellent job.”
“No, (on Marler’s retirement) is my honest opinion. But look, I mean, you’d have to ask him that question. But no, I certainly don’t see that on the immediate horizon. But I hope that’s not the case. Because he’s certainly adding huge value.”