France head coach Fabien Galthie has hit out after admitting he fears Antoine Dupont suffered a “serious” knee injury against Ireland. A dominant 42-27 win for the visitors was tainted by their captain leaving the field in the first half after Tadhg Beirne fell on his leg at a ruck.
Gregory Alldritt took over in Dupont’s absence and immediately approached referee Angus Gardner to request a TMO review of the incident. However, the official declined, telling the No.8: “I’m sorry, but sometimes injuries happen.” According to Galthie though, the French won’t be leaving the matter there.
“There is a suspicion of a quite serious knee injury to Antoine,” said Galthie. “He is suffering – let’s say it how it is.
“I don’t want to go into details, mainly due to medical confidentiality. We have cited two players – Tadhg Beirne and Andrew Porter – in our post-match report.
“We have also highlighted Nash to the citing commissioner for Pierre-Louis Barassi, who did not respond well to the HIA (head injury assessment) protocol.
“We are angry and we want an explanation. We must protect our players. There are rules, regulations. I do not want to pass judgment on the quality of refereeing today.”
Galthie did stop short of criticising Gardner, insisting he wasn’t going to “pass judgement” on the officials’ performance. However, his opposite number, Simon Easterby, rejected suggestions that what happened to Dupont had constituted foul play.
“Tadhg cleans out someone in front of Antoine Dupont and he gets hit on the back of it. It happens, unfortunately,” he said. “We have moved away, and players have a real awareness now of clearing out on the lower limb of the player, which can create that type of injury that might have happened today, but that wasn’t the case.
“He was securing his own ball and not making contact on Dupont. Unfortunately, that happens. The guy that Tadhg hit was hit on to Dupont. It’s just one of those things. It happens in the game.”
Before going off, Dupont had a try disallowed before creating the opening try for winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey. France are now almost certain to be without their talisman for their home game with Scotland next Saturday, where a bonus point win will secure them the 2025 Six Nations title.
