Paris, France — French rugby has been dealt a devastating blow with the news that national team captain Antoine Dupont will miss most of 2025 after rupturing cruciate ligaments in his knee during France’s Six Nations victory over Ireland on Saturday.
The injury, which occurred in the first half of the match, forced the 28-year-old scrum-half off the field after Ireland’s second-row Tadhg Beirne fell awkwardly on his leg at a ruck.
Dupont took to Instagram to express his disappointment, writing: “The heart hurts even more than the knee when you have to leave your friends before the last step. I am proud of what we accomplished yesterday and with all my strength with you, you will do it. Rupture of the cruciate ligaments. This is the beginning of a new challenge, I’ll see you in a few months on the field.”
The injury comes as a significant setback not only for Les Bleus but for European rugby as a whole, with Dupont widely regarded as one of the sport’s finest players.
France head coach Fabien Galthie did not hide his frustration, stating that there was “anger” in the French camp over the incident, which was not referred to the television match official (TMO).
Galthie has since referred Beirne and prop Andrew Porter to the citing commissioner for potential retrospective punishment. However, after reviewing all available footage, the citing commissioner confirmed that no further action would be taken against the Irish players.
Despite the disappointment, Galthie expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to adapt in Dupont’s absence. His replacement, Maxime Lucu, delivered an impressive performance, helping France score 34 unanswered points to secure a commanding victory over Ireland.
The win places France at the top of the Six Nations standings heading into their final match against Scotland at Stade de France on Saturday. A victory there would likely see them lift their first Six Nations title since 2022.
For Toulouse, the impact of Dupont’s absence is equally severe. The club faces an uphill battle in their bid to defend both the Top 14 and Champions Cup titles without their star man.
While no definitive timeline has been given for Dupont’s return, injuries of this nature typically require a lengthy rehabilitation period, raising concerns about his availability for key fixtures in 2025.
Former France international Dimitri Yachvili expressed hope for a full recovery, acknowledging the severity of the injury but backing Dupont’s resilience.
“He’s a warrior. We know how hard he works. I have no doubt he will return stronger,” Yachvili said in a television interview.
The news of Dupont’s injury has prompted an outpouring of support from fans and fellow players alike, with messages flooding social media.
As Les Bleus prepare for their crucial clash against Scotland, the team will need to rally without their talismanic leader, knowing that their Six Nations hopes rest on the ability of others to fill the void left by one of the world’s premier scrum-halves.
