Dupont can't save Toulouse

ROUND 19 WRAP: Toulouse welcomed back star scrumhalf Antoine Dupont on Sunday, but the French champions still slipped to a roller-coaster 28-31 loss to Bordeaux in the Top 14.

Dupont, fresh from his foray into Sevens - ahead of the Paris Olympics - started on the bench but was summoned into action after just five minutes when flyhalf Thomas Ramos picked up a rib injury.

However, the 27-year-old was helpless as Toulouse trailed 7-24 at the interval.

"I like it when people explain to me that he's the best No.9 in the world but he's not bad at No.10 either," said Toulouse coach Ugo Mola of Dupont.

"He brought us energy even if in the first half, he made one or two decisions not up to what he is capable of doing.

"He did much better in the second half."

Toulouse hit back to lead 28-24 before Bordeaux flank Pierre Bochaton grabbed his team's fifth try 10 minutes from time to secure victory.

Bordeaux's other tries all came in the opening period through centre Yoram Moefana, No.8 Tevita Tatafu, wing Damian Penaud and fullback Romain Buros.

English flank Jack Willis, New Zealand centre Pita Ahki and a double from wing Matthis Lebel in three second-half minutes were Toulouse's try scorers.

Despite the loss, Toulouse remains second in the Top 14 table, three points behind Stade Francais while Bordeaux are up to third.

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