In a devastating blow to French rugby, captain Antoine Dupont has suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament in his knee during France's Six Nations victory over Ireland. The incident occurred in the first half when Irish second-row Tadhg Beirne fell on Dupont's leg at a ruck, forcing the star player to leave the field. Dupont, 28, expressed his disappointment on Instagram, stating, "The heart hurts even more than the knee when you have to leave your friends before the last step... Rupture of the cruciate ligaments. This is the beginning of a new challenge, I'll see you in a few months on the field."

France head coach Fabien Galthie expressed his anger over the incident, noting that it was not reviewed by the television match official (TMO) during the game. Galthie revealed that Dupont was "suffering" and that he has referred Ireland's Beirne and Andrew Porter to the citing commissioner for possible retrospective punishment. The loss of Dupont is a significant setback for France as they aim for their first Six Nations title since 2022. Dupont's replacement, Maxime Lucu, stepped up admirably, contributing to France's dominant performance in the match against Ireland.

BBC rugby union correspondent Chris Jones described the injury as a "crushing blow for French rugby and the sport in general." The extent of the impact on Dupont's career remains uncertain, as similar injuries have previously stalled the careers of other players. However, there is hope that Dupont will make a full recovery and return to the field even stronger. Despite the setback, Galthie expressed confidence in Lucu's ability to fill Dupont's shoes at number nine. Furthermore, Dupont's club, Toulouse, is expected to remain competitive in both the Top 14 and Champions Cup.

The absence of Antoine Dupont represents a significant challenge for France as they continue their Six Nations campaign. The team's ability to adapt and maintain their momentum without their captain will be crucial in their pursuit of the title. The rugby world now awaits updates on Dupont's recovery and hopes for his speedy return to the sport.