Legendary former France captain Thierry Dusatoir, believes that the current skipper of Les Bleus will once again be the man to stop in the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations. Dusatoir expressed how multi-time World Rugby Player of the Year Antoine Dupont ‘does not have a weakness’, as we approach kick-off for the opening clash of this year’s tournament.
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Ireland make the trip over to Paris for an thrilling first bout, with Andy Farrell’s men out to make up for their heavy 42-27 defeat last year in Dublin. France enter the tournament amongst the front-runners to claim the Championship, as Fabien Galthie’s men are the defending title holders and are spearheaded by their sensational scrum half. Speaking with Hajper, Dusatoir expects another stand-out campaign from the magician in the French nine jersey, with Toulon halfback Baptiste Serin in support from the bench.
“Dupont is number one of course. [Baptiste] Serin is a more strategic player. He is very good at managing the last 15 or 20 minutes. He has a very good kicking game, and he has a lot of influence on the forwards. You can see it every weekend in Toulon. He [Dupont] is a very good player with a lot of experience but of course the number one is Antoine. He does not have any weaknesses.
“His influence is massive and he gives so much confidence to the team. A lot of players though have influence in this team; in the forwards Marchand and Woki, Ollivon and Cros. If teams focus on Dupont, that will create space for other players. You have a lot of leaders in this team now, Thomas Ramos too.
“We talk a lot about Antoine because he is a fantastic player, but I think we have many good players who are world class which is why it is a good time for France.”
Fabien Galthie’s decision making process has been at the heart of the pre-match media spotlight, as we close in on kick off for the first match of the 2026 Six Nations. Galthie made some statement calls by not including the experienced trio of Gael Fickou, Gregory Alldritt or Damien Penaud in the camp.
Galthie has brought in eight uncapped players and a handful of stars who only made their international debuts upon the Summer tour of New Zealand, with a definitive new era feel to Les Bleus. Dusatoir shared how the French fans must be patient with Galthie, given the demand to not only win, but also triumph with their usual Parisian flair.
“It’s true. He [Galthie] has suffered a lot of criticism since the last World Cup. Honestly, I don’t think he’s in danger. He will be the head coach until the World Cup. But people in France can get quite impatient. They want to win but at the same time we want to put on a good show.
“Maybe his approach has not offered the show that we were expecting. As I say, the key point for him is to find a way to win but also to improve the offensive”
Casting his eye over the incoming opponents at the Stade de France, Dusatoir expressed how Ireland find themselves in a real transition period mid-way through the 2027 Rugby World Cup cycle.
“You have to respect Ireland which is a small country with not that many players.” Dusatoir added. “They have had a great generation of players but now they are in transition. They have to find new players, and this takes time. They have a lot of players injured. Even if they have some good new players, they need time to get experience.
“I am not saying Ireland is bad right now. It is a period of transition after their fantastic time in recent years. Andy Farrell will make a difference. He knows the players so well. And he will know what to do for Ireland to bring something more to their game. They have a lot of older players and as Fabien Galthie has had to do, they must find new players for the World Cup in two years’ time. But it is clear they are not number one anymore.”
Leinster’s Sam Prendergast has been picked to start at fly half once again for Farrell’s men, as he remains at the top of the out-half pecking order despite plenty of competition. Dusatoir acknowledged how Prendergast has been battling with Munster’s Jack Crowley in the power struggle left by the retirement of Johnny Sexton, with the likes of Harry Byrne and Ciaran Frawley also jostling for control of the 10 jersey.
“It is always a problem when a top player like Sexton leaves the team after so many years. It will always be hard for whoever comes in because he will always be compared to Sexton. They must allow whichever player they chose to develop and stop making comparisons with Sexton. It is difficult to judge anyone without remembering the level of the entire team is not the same as it used to be.
“As we said, we’re talking about the transitioning team. We’re not talking about the team playing at its best level. Yes, it’s hard for him, but this player will need time to get confident and to find their level. I don’t know so much about Prendergast or Crowley to say who should be the fly half to give an opinion!”
Broadening the scope across the tournament as a whole, as Dusatoir has his sights set upon a potential Grand Slam decider between England and France to close out ‘Super Saturday’. ‘Le Crunch’ is always a marquee match of any Six Nations weekend, with the former France captain excited to see a rejuvenated England team lock horns with the defending title holders of Les Bleus.
“The tournament starts and finishes with two big matches! France won last year and I think are favourites this season. They deserve to be in first place this year. Last year they did not entirely dominate; they had some good wins.
“Ireland are looking for new players, and a new generation, but England is bouncing back. They had a great autumn, and I think the tournament will be between them and France which is really interesting because for the English people and the French people we love this kind of fun!
“I really love ‘Le Crunch.’ When you have this level of intensity it is great for both sides. They are the two best teams in Europe right now.”
Due to the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Milan, TV broadcasters decided to schedule France vs Ireland for tonight, for a first ever Thursday night clash to kick off the Six Nations. Dusatoir is not best pleased with the change to the plans, in what should take place over a weekend.
“It’s weird! For the teams, for the fans. I don’t really like these changes. I like the traditional story and rhythm of the Six Nations over a weekend. It is something new. But I hope it will be the first and last. I prefer the game on a Saturday and a Sunday. That is what the fans appreciate too.”
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