Top 14 semi-final: “It’s magnificent for French and world rugby that there is a guy with this class”, when O’Gara praises Dupont

Toulouse scrum-half Antoine Dupont commands the admiration of La Rochelle manager Ronan O'Gara. MAXPPP – REMY GABALDA

There will be no anti-Dupont plan, "a phenomenal player", assures O'Gara, the manager of La Rochelle, before challenging Toulouse this Friday in Bordeaux.' nbsp;

La Rochelle has not put in place a plan to counter Toulouse scrum-half Antoine Dupont, La Rochelle coach Ronan O'Gara assured Thursday for who the captain of the Blues is "a phenomenal player".“He's a phenomenal player. He's fantastic. When you're his coach, you can't help but appreciate his qualities. My players also tell me he's a great kid off the pitch. We'd all like our kids to follow someone like him. It's great for French and world rugby that there's a guy with this class", assured O'Gara on the eve of the Top 14 semi-finals to be played Friday and Saturday in Bordeaux.

Confidence in Kerr-Barlow

"With a plan, it's futile"

"With a plan, It's futile. The moment you create an anti-Dupont plan, you give another Toulouse player an opportunity to score. They are capable of doing it at any time. So we will stick to our principles. I am lucky to have another competitor in front of him. For neutral supporters, the match between Kerr-Barlow and Dupont will be a very good match. I have a lot of confidence in my No. 9″, added the Irish technician.

Toulouse, leader of the regular season, faces La Rochelle, 5th in the Top 14, in the semi-final on Friday (8:15 p.m.). The winner will face either Stade Français or Bordeaux in the final, who will face each other on Saturday (9 p.m.).