At the start of the 2024 season, Stade Toulousain had just completed a full season with Antoine Dupont regularly absent. This was evidenced by the fact that the prodigy played less than 800 minutes in the Top 14 during the 2023-2024 season, after three seasons with over 1,000 minutes played. Intrigued by the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he won a gold medal, the former FC Auch Gers player needed some time off. Little did he know that he would be seriously injured a few months later, prompting the Toulouse management to call upon another international player to replace him: Japanese Naoto Saito.
Nearly two years after signing, the half-back is nearing the end of his contract in Haute-Garonne. After initially signing on for one season to help the team manage the absence of their star player, it seems he is no longer in the club’s plans for the next season and is close to leaving.
Currently, the most active recruitment situation for Toulouse is around Dimitri Delibes, following contract extensions for Matthis Lebel, Paul Mallez, and Rodrigue Neti. With the arrival of Tommaso Menoncello, the club is reaching its limit without exceeding the Salary Cap, and has devoted significant resources to finalizing the remaining deals. The club is banking on its Dupont-Graou pairing and youth, with young players like Simon Daroque (20) and Nathan Llaveria (19) expected to get some minutes in the future.
Naoto Saito may not see his potential departure as a setback, as his time in France was always seen as a temporary adventure. His decision to come to France was driven by a desire to improve his game, learning from top players and a different culture. While attracting interest from top French clubs last spring, he remains an integral part of the Japanese national team setup.
After arriving in southwestern France in 2024, Naoto Saito made a strong impression despite his small stature. He brought a different style of play compared to Dupont and Graou, showing great determination and speed in execution. Former Japan head coach Jamie Joseph praised Saito for his commitment to challenging himself and learning from the best in France.
As the potential departure of Naoto Saito looms, Toulouse will have to address key contract issues, potentially opening up opportunities for competition within the squad.
