Antoine Dupont

It’s 25 years since a young Irish centre felled France with a sensational hat-trick, and Les Bleus are more formidable now than they were then - but so are Ireland

The Counter Ruck Podcast

The tiny points of difference between the Six Nations teams last weekend were as interesting as the matches themselves

Simon Easterby not overly worried about soft scores as France falter with line in sight against England

The failure to show France’s Romain Ntamack a straight red card against Wales was appalling for the sport

Despite injuries and tough away trips Fabien Galthié‘s side have enough quality to beat everyone if they keep themselves focused

Outhalf Ntamack returns at outhalf for the first time in almost 18 months

Great champions from Novak Djokovic to France’s gifted scrumhalf find ways to make adversity their ally

Pressure is on Fabien Galthié to deliver title that has eluded Les Bleus too often

Ireland captain says team feel ‘lingering frustration’ with most recent performances

The Counter Ruck Podcast

Stormers thrash Sale Sharks in Cape Town

There’s something about a November clash in Paris and all the more so on a Saturday night

Scrumhalf scores two tries for France as Fiji’s long Olympic unbeaten run ends at a jubilant Stade de France

Before last week’s final, in a straw poll conducted across several former Leinster players, they all believed that Toulouse would win

Owen Doyle: Antoine Dupont makes the crucial difference for Toulouse but for Leinster losing three consecutive Champions Cup finals is the stuff of sporting nightmares

It is not in Leinster’s character to be so feckless with the ball, as they were beaten in Champions Cup final

Irish province beaten by French side in extra time in what was a bitter defeat

The Champions Cup pits the best two scrumhalves in the world against each other; victory could depend on which manages to exert more influence

Saturday’s clash of the European titans is as close to a dream final as the organisers could have asked for

French referee’s Mathieu Raynal's clear officiating at the scrum in Croke Park an example which others would do well to follow

Toulouse will face Leinster in London, despite English side threatening to overhaul a 31-12 deficit

But it’s generally good we’re hearing less chatter from referees

The Offload: Antoine Dupont sees off Ireland Sevens in Vancouver; Wolfhounds claim Celtic Challenge

Ireland men winless on the opening day of the Vancouver tournament but the women’s side record a victory over South Africa

Depleted and Dupont-less, can France recover after heartache in the autumn?

France merit favourite status and are in pole position to repeat their title success of two seasons ago

France will also miss out on Emmanuel Meafou and Anthony Jelonch after they picked up injuries

Toulouse, La Rochelle and Bordeaux-Begles have all underlined their potential as Champions Cup contenders with impressive displays

Failure to score try bonus point could prove costly while Rob Herring set to undergo surgery for bicep injury

Tis the season to send a message of support to one of international rugby’s finest players

FFR’s Florian Grill’s sanction of Dupont to play Olympics over Six Nations must play well with the French government

France head coach Fabien Galthié will need to appoint a new captain and starting scrumhalf for the Six Nations as Dupont switches to sevens

‘I am not sure the level of refereeing was up to what was at stake’

Second half recovery sees the Springboks knock France out of their home tournament

France v South Africa: Scrumhalf returns only three weeks after breaking cheekbone for Sunday’s quarter-final with defending champions

Antoine Dupont fractured his jaw against Namibia on September 24th, but no word yet on whether he will line out against the Springboks on Sunday

Appeal submitted to Cas which temporarily delays punishments for South African government failing to sign up to Wada code

France captain has been recovering from facial injury suffered against Namibia earlier in the tournament

Scrumhalf to see surgeon on Monday to decide if he can resume physical contact at training