France will try to win the Six Nations without its talisman after captain Antoine Dupont ruptured cruciate ligaments in his right knee at the weekend.

Antoine Dupont has revealed that he ruptured his “cruciate ligaments” during France’s Six Nations win over Ireland, with the scrum half facing a long lay-off. Dupont was carried off after half-an-hour in Dublin after an incident at a ruck involving Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne and Andrew Porter.

France star Antoine Dupont is set to miss nine months of action after suffering a serious knee injury in the 42-27 win against Ireland at the Six Nations. It was initially reported by Planet Rugby that Dupont had ruptured his ACL and was facing a hefty stint on the touchline, with the player himself confirming that news later on Sunday .