"Better than expected" - Antoine Dupont gives injury update ahead of 2026 Six Nations

Just under two months ago, on November 29, Dupont finally made his comeback from a serious knee injury in Toulouse’s Top 14 clash with Racing 92. It was a hugely significant milestone for the scrum-half, who had not played since March after rupturing the cruciate ligaments in his right knee during France’s Six Nations win over Ireland in Dublin.

That injury came in the 28th minute of a bruising contest at the Aviva Stadium. Contesting a ruck, Irish lock Tadhg Beirne fell onto Dupont’s leg as Andrew Porter was also involved nearby. The contact caused Dupont’s knee to buckle. Visibly distressed, he was helped from the field, and the following day the diagnosis confirmed France’s worst fears, a ruptured cruciate ligament.

Despite losing their talisman so early in the tournament, France went on to claim the Six Nations title, effectively winning the championship without Dupont. Underlining the depth of Fabien Galthié’s squad, Les Bleus navigated the remainder of the competition successfully, with Grégory Alldritt captaining the side in his absence and earning a place in the Team of the Tournament.

For a player who thrives on rhythm and tempo, the road back was long. Yet now, as the Six Nations returns, so does its most influential figure, and with him, a sense of renewed belief for Les Bleus.

“It’s very special for me. As I said, I didn’t wear the French jersey for almost a year and even without that it’s always very special when you start the tournament, you feel the excitement from everyone and to be able to start with a home game in Paris against Ireland, very motivated.”

Given the circumstances of the injury, questions were inevitable about lingering resentment towards those involved. Dupont, however, has been emphatic.

“No, honestly. I think it was just an accident, it happens sometimes on the field unfortunately so I don’t think that it was intentional, both of them [Tadhg Beirne and Andrew Porter] sent me messages on social media so no I don’t think so.”

Physically, the signs are equally encouraging. After a cautious initial period following his return, Dupont insists the doubts have faded.

“The first weeks were not 100% but now I feel the same as before, I feel better than I expected a few months ago so I am very happy.”

France’s Six Nations campaign carries extra weight. With a World Cup looming next year, every performance now feeds into a larger picture, though Dupont is keen to keep the focus firmly on the present.

“When you perform well in the Six Nations, you send a message to international rugby. We know that [the World Cup] is in one year but it starts now and we have to take the experience of international rugby from now, but I think our focus is on the Six Nations, we’ve got time to think of the future.”

This year’s tournament begins amid significant talking points off the field too. The naming of France’s 42-man squad last week raised eyebrows, with three high-profile omissions, Damian Penaud, Gaël Fickou and Grégory Alldritt.

Penaud’s absence is particularly striking. The prolific winger became France’s all-time leading try-scorer in November, surpassing Serge Blanco’s long-standing record of 38 with a brace against South Africa to move onto 40. At 29, and still scoring freely, eight tries this season for club and country, his exclusion has stunned many, especially given his lethal club partnership with Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

Fickou’s omission is equally notable. The 31-year-old captained France against South Africa in November and sits just two caps short of a century of Test appearances, a landmark previously reached only by Fabien Pelous and Philippe Sella.

Then there is Grégory Alldritt, the La Rochelle No.8 who started every match of France’s Six Nations triumph last year and was named in the Team of the Tournament while captaining the side in Dupont’s absence.

For the captain himself, the reaction has been one of empathy, but also perspective.

“I obviously was disappointed for them because they’re friends but it shows that the level in our team is very high, there is a lot of young players who are doing very well in the Top 14 and I think it will help them to come back even better.”