Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby has defended his side after the injury sustained by Antoine Dupont in Dublin last weekend. Although Les Bleus came away with a massive win at the Aviva that has put them within touching distance of the Six Nations title,

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.

The French talisman hobbled off during Saturday's clash at the Aviva Stadium, with some pointing the finger of blame towards one of Ireland's players.

A heated war of words has erupted between Irish and French rugby camps after France coach Fabien Galthie accused Ireland players of foul play in Antoine Dupont's devastating knee injury.

France captain Antoine Dupont suffered a potentially serious knee injury in his team's 42-27 Six Nations victory over Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, angry coach Fabien Galthie said on Saturday.

Ireland interim boss Simon Easterby says France head coach Fabien Galthie's comments "fanned the flames" about the incident that led to Antoine Dupont's injury.

Ireland interim boss Simon Easterby on Thursday said comments alleging foul play against his side by France coach Fabien Galthie following an injury to star scrum-half Antoine Dupont were "disappointing" and had created unnecessary "ill-feeling".