Statement: Two Ireland players cited following serious injury to Antoine Dupont

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Dupont, 28, was forced off the field in the first half of France’s impressive 42-27 victory over the defending champions. The injury occurred when Ireland's Tadhg Beirne landed awkwardly on Dupont’s leg at a ruck, and the French scrum-half was helped off the pitch after receiving treatment.

At half-time, Galthié shared that he had "no good news" to report and later confirmed in the post-match press conference that Dupont was "suffering."

"We suspect something serious," Galthié remarked.

While Galthié refrained from commenting on referee Angus Gardner's performance, he noted that there was "anger" within the French camp over the incident, which was not referred to the TMO during the match.

It has since been reported that both Andrew Porter and Tadhg Beirne have been cited for their roles in the incident.

Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby said the injury to Dupont, who was replaced by Maxime Lucu, came after a "rugby incident".

"Tadhg [Beirne] cleans out someone in front of Antoine Dupont and he gets hit on the back of it. It happens, unfortunately," said Easterby.

"We have moved away and players have a real awareness now of clearing out on the lower limb of the player, which can create that type of injury that might have happened today, but that wasn't the case. 

"He was securing his own ball and not making contact on Dupont. Unfortunately that happens. The guy that Tadhg hit was hit on to Dupont. It's just one of those things unfortunately. It happens in the game."

France play Scotland in Paris next weekend in what is the concluding game of the Six Nations championship, while Ireland will look to bounce back against Italy in Rome.

Here are five changes Ireland’s interim head coach should consider ahead of the Italy clash.

RUCK 4/10: "One last home run-out for the veteran. Will be disappointed with his work rate as his side fell apart shortly after he departed for Conan."

Rugby Pass 5/10: "The mind is willing but the body was struggling to keep up. Fell off Antoine Dupont for France’s first try and looked a yard or two off the pace throughout, although there was no lack of industry, grit or heart from the Munster veteran."

Planet Rugby 5/10: "ucky to get away with a few infringements with some rather kind officiating. But the rub of the green went the other way for a crucial call with many claiming that he attempted to milk a penalty. Again a real weapon at the lineout. It’s not the result the Ireland legend deserved in his final home outing but it wasn’t his best showing either."

Balls 5/10: "Did well in the lineout but game roared past him on a few occasions. Was taken out before the Boudehent try but Angus Gardner opted to ignore."

Replacement: Jack Conan

Irish Examiner 5/10: "Bloodied again but didn’t bow. An early boot to the face left Aki on familiar terrain, in the wars and primed for battle. Aki was in the thick of everything but the ferocious physical contest saw him make way early in the second half."

Rugby Pass 4/10: "Took an accidental boot to the face early but recovered well. Had precious little opportunity in the first half to make an impact on the French defensive line, spending the most part of his afternoon tackling blue jerseys."

Planet Rugby 4/10: "A bright start from the powerhouse centre but he petered out as the game went on and was subsequently replaced in the final quarter. Perhaps Ireland’s choice not to go with a 5-3 split was costly as Aki was never going to go the distance."

Replacement: Garry Ringrose

RUCK 5/10: "Trusted as the centre-cum-wing in the absence of Ringrose. Used his left boot to clear well but was found out defensively a few times and didn’t enjoy being dumped near his own line."

Planet Rugby 5/10: "No lack of effort from the Leinster man who shifted from full-back onto the wing for this fixture. He was dealt a tricky hand with having to deal with Damian Penaud and did so admirably for much of the match. He was wrapped up well by the brave French defence and was not a liability when France attacked."

Balls.Ie 5/10: "Some lusty tackles, early on. Penaud got in his face to force a mistake, in the air. Chipped a dolly in the air to give Dupont an easy mark. Bundled out of play on one carry."

Replacement: James Lowe

Balls.IE 3/10: "Sent back to Kildare on one early carry. Pinged a penalty off the posts from 40-metres out, but still right in front. Snatched a kick-through and beat Penaud for a line-break. Foolishly kicked a mark ball straight to Ramos. Then stepped up and nailed a penalty from halfway, and split the posts with a touchline conversion. Spilled the ball forward when he was scragged to the ground. Was getting bounced back on carries, all day. Was picked off by Ramos before that late Penaud try."

Planet Rugby 3/10: "After a rather strong first half, including two penalties to keep Ireland in touching distance, the young fly-half had a stinker of a second half. He made multiple soft errors, was driven backwards when he carried to the line and frankly, his errors were incredibly costly for Ireland at pivotal moments. The talent is certainly there but today was just not his day. Picked off right at the death too and France pounced. A real mare."

Replacement: Jack Crowley

Irish Examiner 4/10: "Daft, costly ill-discipline. McCarthy’s flagrant pull-back on Ramos led to a yellow card and allowed France into the game through Bielle-Biarrey try. It was a mad moment. Tore into every contact thereafter to make amends but too little too late."

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Disrupted a few opposition mauls and did his job in the engine room with minimal fuss. However, a brainrotting and needless tug on the Thomas Ramos –  that earned him a yellow card and saw France score off the very next play – was what stood out."

Planet Rugby 4/10: "A brainless tackle off the ball cost his team dearly as France made the most of the penalty to score the opening try of the match. At that point, Les Bleus were simply holding on with Ireland dominating and his subsequent yellow card only made matters worse. Pretty quiet thereafter."

Balls.Ie 5/10: "The only forward that was making real ground in the early exchanges. Yellow-carded for a cynical pull on Ramos. Needs to cut out those costly penalties."

Replacement: James Ryam

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