France Rugby Prepares for Scotland Showdown Without Dupont

France’s head coach Fabien Galthié has begun reshaping his squad ahead of the Six Nations title decider against Scotland, grappling with both the absence of captain Antoine Dupont and growing frustration over the circumstances of his injury. Despite the setback, confidence remains high as France edges closer to a record-equalling seventh title.

Injury Blow to France’s Captain

France held a narrow 5-0 lead over Ireland when Dupont suffered a severe knee injury in the 29th minute of Saturday’s match at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. The loss of the 2021 World Player of the Year could have been devastating, but Maxime Lucu stepped in and guided the team to an emphatic 42-27 victory over the defending champions.

Dupont confirmed via social media that he had torn the cruciate ligaments in his right knee, officially ruling him out of the decisive match against Scotland. “It’s the start of a new challenge. I’ll see you in a few months on the pitch,” Dupont wrote, adding that the emotional toll of leaving his teammates at such a crucial moment was even harder to bear than the injury itself.

France Demands Action Over Injuries

Tensions have escalated in the wake of Dupont’s injury, with the French Rugby Federation calling for disciplinary action against Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne and Andrew Porter, citing their roles in the incident. Additional complaints were lodged regarding a high tackle by Ireland’s Calvin Nash that resulted in Pierre-Louis Barassi suffering a concussion.

• France insists that Nash’s yellow card was insufficient punishment.
• Officials argue that Ireland’s play contributed to an unnecessarily dangerous environment.
• The French squad remains determined to channel their frustration into a winning performance against Scotland.

Squad Adjustments and Tactical Shifts

Galthié has moved swiftly to reinforce his squad, calling up Baptiste Serin as cover for Dupont and young talent Fabien Brau-Boirie to compensate for Barassi’s absence. The team announcement is set for Thursday, but the adjustments signal a significant tactical shift ahead of Saturday’s match at the Stade de France.

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Despite the forced changes, France remains in pole position for the title. A victory against Scotland would seal their first Six Nations championship since 2022, though alternative scenarios still leave the door open for Ireland or England to claim the crown.

Title Race: Who Can Still Win?

While France controls its destiny, the tournament remains wide open:

With England and Ireland still in contention, all eyes will be on Saturday’s fixtures as the championship reaches its dramatic conclusion. Galthié’s men, however, are focused solely on Scotland, knowing that victory will erase all doubts and silence the critics.