France 'fuelled' by Dupont injury
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Gregory Alldritt says France scrumhalf Antoine Dupont’s injury-exit from the blockbuster clash against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday focused the tourists’ resolve.
Dupont is unlikely to play any further part in this season’s Six Nations championship after suffering what coach Fabien Galthie described as a “fairly serious knee injury” in the 42-27 demolition of Ireland in Dublin.
READ: Les Bleus batter Ireland, rumble into Six Nations lead
France No 8 Alldritt said the injury was “gut-wrenching” and that it fired up France, who blew away the Irish in the second half to set themselves up as favourites to win the title next week when they host Scotland in the final round of matches.
“It was also a little bit of fuel for the second half,” said Alldritt.
The talismanic scrum-half played 29 minutes before twisting his right knee when he was caught in a ruck with Irish lock Tadhg Beirne appearing to land on him.
Dupont was attended by medical staff before they supported him as he limped off the field to be replaced by Maxime Lucu, the only back on the French bench.
“There is a suspicion of a fairly serious knee injury,” said a thunder-faced France coach Galthie at a press conference, adding that he was “angry” about the injury to the poster boy of French rugby.
“We have cited some players to appear before the disciplinary committee,” said Galthie, who blamed Beirne and prop Andrew Porter, who were involved in the clearance that caused Dupont’s injury.
Ireland interim coach Simon Easterby put it down as “just a rugby incident”.
“This happens,” he said. “It’s just one of those things that unfortunately happens in the game.”
Galthie also announced that he would be citing Irish wing Calvin Nash, who replaced the injured James Lowe just before kick-off, for a second-half tackle that led to a concussion for France centre Pierre-Louis Barassi.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
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