We CANT let French ace strut his stuff

O’DONOGHUE FEELS MUNSTER HAVE A GAMEPLAN TO STOP BEST IN WORLD

BY MICHAEL SCULLY JACK O’DONOGHUE says Antoine Dupont is two steps beyond the rest - but is confident Munster can find a way to catch up with him at the Aviva Stadium.

The French scrum-half is the current world player of the year, a true global superstar of the sport - such is his ability to spot a gap, break a defensive line and take the right option in thrilling fashion.

Dupont brings his star quality to Dublin today as Toulouse strive to stay in the hunt to go back to back in the competition with a record-breaking sixth Champions Cup title triumph.

The Top 14 giants won in Thomond Park in the round of 16 last year in a thriller and O’donoghue knows that the key to flipping the result this time is to get to grips with the little no 9.

“Where do you start? Like, for a no 9 he’s probably always two steps ahead of everyone else in terms of how he reads the game,” said the experienced

back row. “And his physicality

– for a small fella, he’s incredibly strong. And then his running, his kicking game, it’s 10 out of 10. By all means he deserved the World Player of the Year award because of the way he plays.

“He’s a joy to watch - from a neutral point of view, anyway!”.

O’donoghue admits he felt the Champions Cup buzz of old when he walked around Limerick in the days leading up to the stirring last round victory over Exeter Chiefs.

The expectation was topped by the atmosphere for the game as the Reds recovered from their first leg deficit to progress.

“The atmosphere was incredible, certainly something we missed because of Covid over the two years,” the Waterford man admitted.

“It really became a fortress that day and that’s something that will always be there which is a credit to the supporters.

“We took massive confidence from the way we finished in Exeter, we felt we could beat them then in Thomond Park and we’ll bring that confidence into the Toulouse game.

“I’d never get ahead of myself but Munster really comes to life when it comes to the Heineken Cup and to be able to play in the knock-out stages is incredible, with the chance of taking another step forwards towards the final in Marseille.

“But look, we’re under no illusions. The challenge we have ahead of us against Toulouse is incredible.

“The brand of rugby that they play is incredible, the superstars they have in their team, we see them playing for their country, some of the stuff they do you’re almost in awe.

“It’s two clubs with a massive history in the Champions Cup, they’re the competition’s most successful team and to have the chance to play them in the quarter-final in the Aviva Stadium is going to be special.”

Jack O’donogue (inset) was speaking to help mark Heineken’s continued sponsorship of the European Cup which is now into its 27th year