Understudy of Antoine Dupont at Stade Toulousain, Paul Graou is full of praise for the man he has known since his adolescence.
Landed in Toulouse last summer from Agen, Paul Graou was quick to find a place in the rotation of the Rouge et Noir. Taking advantage of the duplicates and rests of Antoine Dupont, of which he became the first understudy, the native of Auch already has 9 appearances in the Top 14 this season, including 7 tenures. And this despite several physical glitches at the start of the season.
For comparison, the scrum half of the XV of France also displays only 10 league games for 8 tenures. “My season was turned upside down at the start with a few injuries that followed. For me, it really started on January 1 in Clermont, even if I was still arrested two or three weeks behind. Then, I managed to chain the matches during the period of doubloons, was also delighted the former Agenais with Rugbyrama. I was happy to have this place in the team when the internationals were not there, the confidence returned. »
Antoine is a source of progress
And Pierre Graou is all the more satisfied with this first season in Toulouse that it allowed him to find two childhood friends, Anthony Jelonch and especially Antoine Dupont. A real bargain even though he plays in the same position as his buddy. “It’s not that we have no filter with each other, but we know how to say things to each other. He brings me his advice, we discuss, he explained. As for my role, I’m in the same position as the best scrum half in the world and even the best player in the world, so I really try to take inspiration from that.. »
“Antoine is a source of progress for me. He excels everywhere, he is never wrong. Last weekend, against the Sharks, he didn’t score but only made good choices. If I want to take a leap, I have to aim for that,” he continued, adding: “But even in my wildest dreams, I might not have imagined playing at Stade Toulouse with friends. It’s a nice surprise and I try to give everything I can to have nothing to regret later. »
