Antoine Dupont has insisted there will be no bad blood towards Ireland players Tadhg Beirne and Andrew Porter when the fit-again scrum-half returns to the Guinness Six Nations after a year away from international rugby.
The Toulouse star and former World Rugby men’s player of the year ruptured cruciate ligaments after being cleaned out of a ruck by the Irish forward duo in last season’s championship meeting in Dublin.
The incident was met with fury by France head coach Fabien Galthie, who described the clearout as “reprehensible” in his post-match comments last February but speaking at the pre-2026 tournament media day in Edinburgh on Monday, Dupont said his injury had been an unfortunate accident.
Ireland go to Paris for their opening round fixture at Stade de France on Thursday week and the French captain said he felt no anger towards Beirne and Porter.
“Honestly, no. I think it was just an accident,” Dupont said. “It happens sometimes on the field, unfortunately.
“I don’t feel that it was intentional. Both of them sent messages on social media, so no, I don’t think so.”
The 29-year-old, who returned for Toulouse in November, said he was relishing the opportunity to make his comeback for France, this year’s defending champions.
“It’s very special for me. I didn’t wear the French jersey for almost one year. Even without that, it’s always very special. You start the tournament, you feel the excitement from everyone and to be able to start with a home game in Paris against Ireland, it’s very motivating.
“Honestly, the first weeks were not at 100 per cent, but now I feel the same as before. I feel better than I expected a few months ago, so I’m very happy.”
France and Ireland kick off the 2026 championship on a Thursday night to avoid a clash with the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Milan/Cortina the following evening and Dupont admitted the players were entering unknown territory when asked what playing in midweek would feel like.
“We don’t know. Nobody has experienced playing an international game on a Thursday night. So it will be a part of the preparation. We have to prepare for the consequences, but it will be the same for us and for them. So, we’ll see.”
Ireland will have Andy Farrell back at the helm after the head coach handed the reins during the 2025 Six Nations to interim boss Simon Easterby as he prepared to lead the British & Irish Lions.
France beat Ireland convincingly, 42-27, at Aviva Stadium, with Maxime Lucu replacing Dupont at number nine in the 28th minute when France were leading 5-0 but the fit-again captain is expecting an improved challenge from Farrell’s team on February 5.
“I think we know this team now for the last four or five years. They play the same rugby, but it’s very efficient, very organised.
“I repeat myself, but every team is very tough when you play against them. The level of the tournament is very high and I think they’ll probably be even better this year with Andy.” Dupont also dismissed the notion that France’s final-round fixture against England was shaping up to be a possible title decider.
“A lot of people talk about this potential final, but we’ve got a lot of work to do before. If you want to talk about a potential final, we have to talk about the first game against Ireland, and Wales, Italy and Scotland.
“We’ll take it game after game. I think it’s the best way that we can prepare for it.”
