Dupuy edging closer to Paris
May 19 2009
Leicester scrum-half Julien Dupuy admits Saturday's Heineken Cup Final against Leinster is almost certain to be his last game for the club.
The 25-year-old, who was on Tuesday called into the France squad for the tour to Australia and New Zealand, has played a key role in the Tigers' successful season and has another twelve months left on his two-year contract.
But the former Biarritz goalkicking scrum-half says his French girlfriend is homesick and he has received a tempting offer from Stade Français.
"Actually no. It is not rugby. Rugby is really important but it is just fifteen years of your life. The rest is important to me," Dupuy said, when he was asked if he wants to stay at Welford Road.
"I understand why Leicester want to keep me but we will speak after the final."
Leicester are being linked with Leinster's Australian scrum half Chris Whitaker, whom they will come up against in Saturday's European Cup Final at Murrayfield, and coach Richard Cockerill admits the club would be prepared to listen to an offer for Dupuy if they secure a replacement.
"If Stade Français find enough money to buy him, there could be something in it," said Cockerill.
Dupuy, who kept England scrum half Harry Ellis out of the side for last Saturday's Guinness Premiership final win over London Irish, has scored 118 points in his 30 appearances for the Tigers this season and admits his impressive form has played an important role in his international call-up.
"I'm lucky because the team has played two finals, which is good for me," he said.
"I have played eight months with the Leicester forwards who have been so good. I am in the French squad because I play well for Leicester and because Leicester play well.
"It's always great to play for your country but that is three weeks away and I'm concentrating on Saturday's game. There are a lot of good players who have never played in a Heineken Cup Final."
Dupuy will again restrict Ellis to the bench against Leinster as the Tigers seek to complete their third Premiership and European Cup double in ten years.
Captain and full-back Geordan Murphy and winger Johne Murphy have both shaken off knocks sustained in Saturday's win over Irish and Samoan winger Alex Tuilagi will return from a six-week suspension.
Tuilagi was suspended for an off-the-ball challenge in Leicester's quarter-final win over Bath in April and Cockerill admits the strong-running Pacific Islander will be short of match practice.
"I can't see us making too many changes because the guys have done well," he said.
"We haven't finalised selection yet but it will be pretty close to what's been playing in the last few weeks.
"Alex will come back into the 22 but, whether he's on the bench or starts, we'll have to see.
"He's had five or six weeks off which doesn't help but he's certainly a threat. You wouldn't want to tackle him, would you?"
Cockerill confirmed that there will be no place in his squad for club captain Martin Corry, who sat out the Premiership final and retires after Saturday's match.
"Martin has a huge say during the week and he will be there on match day because his experience and influence on the squad is very important for me," added Cockerill.
"Unfortunately his body has given up. His mind is more than willing - he would play twice a week for you if you wanted him to - but his body just won't follow.
"It's been a difficult decision for me to make. The easy thing would be to pick him but you have to make the right choices for the right reasons. Martin has dealt with that very professionally, as Martin Corry would."