Frustration Erupts: Top Rugby Star Injured in Ruck, Facing Extended Layoff

After an impressive 42-27 triumph at Aviva Stadium on Sunday (AEDT), France seized the Six Nations rugby trophy from Ireland.

With this bonus-point victory, France has taken a stronghold at the top of the championship and can secure their first title since 2022 during the final round next Sunday (AEDT) when they face Scotland at home.

On the other hand, Ireland’s aspirations for a Grand Slam were dashed for the second consecutive year in the fourth round, jeopardising their pursuit of an unprecedented third consecutive outright title in the tournament’s 142-year history.

England is still in contention for the title, provided they avoid an upset against Italy at home on Monday (AEDT). However, France boasts a significant advantage with a formidable points differential of +106, which is 93 points superior to that of Ireland.

The scale of France’s victory was underscored by their five tries to three performance, marking their highest score ever in Ireland, even more remarkable considering they played without injured captain Antoine Dupont for the last 50 minutes.

A serious injury to their influential scrumhalf led France coach Fabien Galthie to cite Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne and Andrew Porter for further evaluation.

Dupont left the field in the 29th minute after experiencing a right knee injury while Ireland attempted to clear out a ruck.

“We suspect it’s a rather serious knee injury,” Galthie commented. “I won’t share specifics due to medical confidentiality, but we must wait for more detailed tests. Antoine is in pain, and we share in that pain.”

“We have summoned players to face the disciplinary committee: Beirne and Porter regarding Antoine’s injury, and (Calvin) Nash on the contact that caused Pierre-Louis Barassi to leave the field after failing the concussion protocol. Their players returned; ours did not. We’re frustrated.”

According to Planet Rugby, Dupont could be sidelined for 6-8 months due to an ACL injury.

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Meanwhile, Barassi failed a head injury assessment after a collision with Nash, who received a yellow card following the incident.

“We aim to protect our players,” Galthie remarked. “There are rules, and we need to adhere to them.”

Ireland’s interim coach Simon Easterby characterised Dupont’s injury as merely a “rugby incident.” He commented, “Tadhg was clearing out someone in front of Antoine Dupont and he collided due to that. Unfortunately, it happens in rugby. Players are more aware than ever about clearing out at lower limbs, which can lead to such injuries, but that wasn’t the case here. Dupont was securing his own ball and didn’t make contact with Tadhg. It’s just one of those unfortunate occurrences in the game.”

Despite the injury concerns, the French were elated with the result.

“In these great moments, everyone deserves acknowledgment—players and staff alike,” Galthie stated. “We haven’t received anything without earning it. At halftime, there was a positive atmosphere in our dressing room, with a blend of genuine ambition and palpable frustration.”

France’s ‘Bomb Squad’ Makes an Impact

Following Dupont’s departure, France were ahead 5-0, and the momentum seemed to be swinging their way.

Initially, France found themselves on the back foot for the first 15 minutes, weathering a barrage of Irish attacks. However, everything shifted when lock Joe McCarthy was sin-binned for a cynical foul. Dupont then facilitated winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s opening try against the run of play.

Ireland briefly led 13-8 after the halftime break, but that advantage lasted a mere four minutes. Flanker Paul Boudehent then scored after excellent offloads from prop Jean-Baptiste Gros and Maxime Lucu, who had replaced Dupont.

Ireland’s woes heightened when winger Calvin Nash was yellow carded for a head-on-head challenge. From that moment, France capitalised on the momentum shift by unleashing their ‘bomb squad’ of seven fresh forwards off the bench.

Ireland struggled to combat the surge of fresh energy.

A counter-ruck from France in their own half enabled Damian Penaud to set up Bielle-Biarrey, who grubbered the ball ahead before reaching it for a score. This marked Bielle-Biarrey’s tournament-leading seventh try and his 17th in just 18 Tests.

Replacement lock Oscar Jegou marked his debut with a try, while Gros was sin-binned; Thomas Ramos intercepted a pass from Ireland’s Sam Prendergast just 10 metres from his own try line, allowing Penaud to finish between the posts for his 38th Test try, equalling Serge Blanco’s record for France.

Ramos continued to be flawless, converting his last seven goal attempts.

Lowe Injured in Warm-up

With a comfortable lead of 42-13, France eased off, allowing Ireland to score the final two tries, including one for record-holder Cian Healy, who played his last Test at home alongside Conor Murray and Peter O’Mahony.

“It was quite a rollercoaster ride,” said Ireland captain Caelan Doris. “We weren’t sharp enough early. We felt confident at halftime. We started on a high, believing we could push on, but that 25-minute spell midway through the second half is where we fell short—our collisions and discipline just weren’t what they should have been.”

Shortly before kickoff, Ireland faced a significant setback when winger James Lowe suffered a back spasm during warm-up and had to pull out.

Nonetheless, Ireland’s start suggested a challenging afternoon ahead for France. They camped in the French 22 but managed to breach the fierce defence only once, with Doris held up over the line by Gregory Alldritt.

When McCarthy was yellow carded, his absence was felt as France executed a well-structured maul from a lineout, shortening the defensive line, enabling Bielle-Biarrey to score in his seventh consecutive Test, surpassing Penaud’s previous France record.

Despite Dupont’s exit exposing a risky 7-1 bench with just one back on reserve, the gamble proved fruitful.

Lucu displayed remarkable form, and the ‘bomb squad,’ particularly Emmanuel Meafou and Julien Marchand, overwhelmed a fatigued Ireland during the third quarter.