France head coach Fabien Galthié is reshaping his squad ahead of their Six Nations title decider against Scotland, but the absence of Antoine Dupont looms large. The influential captain suffered a severe knee injury against Ireland, leaving the French camp furious over the circumstances of his departure.
France Eyes Seventh Six Nations Crown
With Saturday’s 42-27 triumph over defending champions Ireland, France surged to the top of the Six Nations table. Now, they stand one win away from their first title since 2022. The victory came at a cost, however, as Dupont—the 2021 World Player of the Year—was forced off in the 29th minute with a torn cruciate ligament.
His absence means Maxime Lucu is expected to start at scrum-half in the decisive match against Scotland at the Stade de France. France will need to maintain their attacking rhythm without their talismanic leader.
“It’s the start of a new challenge,” Dupont wrote on social media. “The heart hurts even more than the knee when you have to leave your mates before the last hurdle.”
Anger Over Injury Fallout
The French Rugby Federation has voiced outrage over the incident that led to Dupont’s injury. They are calling for disciplinary action against Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne and Andrew Porter for their involvement in the ruck that sidelined their captain.
There is also frustration over the tackle by Calvin Nash that left Pierre-Louis Barassi with a concussion in the 45th minute. While Nash received a yellow card and left the field temporarily, he was able to return after 10 minutes. In contrast, Barassi played no further part in the game.
- France took full advantage of Nash’s absence, scoring 17 unanswered points to seize control of the contest.
- Even after Nash re-entered play, Galthié’s squad extended their lead to 42-13 before conceding two late tries.
Squad Adjustments Ahead of Scotland Clash
With Dupont and Barassi ruled out, Galthié has moved swiftly to reinforce his squad. Baptiste Serin has been called up to provide cover at scrum-half, while 19-year-old Fabien Brau-Boirie joins as a potential replacement for Barassi.
The final squad selection for the Scotland match will be revealed on Thursday, but Galthié remains confident that his team can finish the job.
“We have reacted well since Twickenham,” he said, referring to France’s heartbreaking last-second loss to England on February 8. “The team has responded in the right way. We’ve built momentum, but the work isn’t done yet.”
Who Can Still Win the Championship?
Despite France’s current position, the title race is still open. Ireland, England, and Scotland all have mathematical chances of lifting the trophy depending on Saturday’s results.
| Team | Title Scenario |
|---|---|
| France | Win against Scotland secures title |
| Ireland | Must beat Italy and hope Scotland avoid defeat in Paris |
| England | Needs to beat Wales with a bonus point and rely on a Scotland upset |
The stakes couldn’t be higher heading into the final weekend. Scotland, who still harbor outside hopes of the title, will look to spoil France’s celebrations in Paris.
For Galthié and his squad, however, the equation is simple: Win, and the Six Nations trophy is theirs.
