The Albany Gazette - Caudullo challenges Montpellier to be 'watertight' against Dupont threat

Caudullo's outfit head to the Stade de France on Saturday to face the record 24-time champions, who have been boosted by scrum-half Dupont being back to his influential best.

The 29-year-old scored a try and set-up another in the 71-17 rout of Racing 92 in the semi-final last week.

"Focusing on Antoine Dupont means you create space for others," Caudullo told reporters.

"We've worked so that we're watertight.

"The X-Factor is Antoine Dupont, who will try and make things difficult for us, but we want to play these type of matches," the club's former hooker added.

The game will take place during a heatwave in France, which has been experiencing record high temperatures.

A temperature of 35C is expected for kick-off in Paris.

Local authorities have placed restrictions on the sale of alcohol and no alcoholic beverages, including beer, will be available inside the stadium, the Top 14's governing body Ligue Nationale de Rugby told AFP.

"It's been 10 degrees colder in Montpellier compared to the rest of France," Caudullo said.

"We woke the players up later this week, so they could be fresh and could sleep more.

"It will be complex tomorrow night because it's very hot and we don't have experience of it."

- 'Dangerous situation' -

Toulouse have named goal-kicking full-back Thomas Ramos on the bench after he missed last week's semi-final with a hamstring injury.

He trained during Friday's pre-match session at the Stade de France in temperatures of 36C.

Centre Santiago Chocobares, who sat out training due to a concussion he suffered against Racing, starts the game.

"The worry about playing in extreme conditions is still present," Toulouse head coach Ugo Mola told reporters.

"We always look at ways to stay fresh, keep hydrated well to avoid being in a dangerous situation physically for the match.

"The conditions are a bit extreme for us, especially in a contact sport.

"The conditions will have an obvious impact on the evening."

Caudullo will be without one of his most experienced players as flanker Yacouba Camara is suspended for a high tackle against Lyon earlier this month.

"It's a shame Yacouba Camara is not on the field tomorrow," Caudullo said.

"When you start playing rugby as a child, you're taught the values of the sport and what is the Bouclier de Brennus (the Top 14 trophy).

"I think it's a shame that due to a technical mistake he's sanctioned like that, especially because he represent rugby's values."

(S.Perez--TAG)