France dismiss Dupont disappointment to destroy Ireland in Dublin

France overcame the injury loss of Antoine Dupont to blow open the Guinness Six Nations title race by extinguishing Ireland’s Grand Slam dream with a crushing 42-27 win in Dublin.

Les Bleus captain Dupont – arguably the world’s best player – limped from the field in the 29th minute of an engrossing showdown at a sold-out Aviva Stadium.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s early try helped the French into an 8-6 half-time lead before Dan Sheehan’s score shifted the momentum in Ireland’s favour just after the restart.

But the hosts were blitzed during a breathtaking second half as Fabien Galthie’s side ruthlessly wrestled top spot in the championship table going into next week’s final round.

Bielle-Biarrey, the tournament’s top try scorer, took his tally to seven with a sensational finish before Paul Boudehent, Oscar Jegou and the diving Damian Penaud completed the demolition job, adding to 17 points from full-back Thomas Ramos.

Late scores for Cian Healy and Jack Conan, plus two penalties and three conversions from Sam Prendergast, was scant consolation for Simon Easterby’s side, who slipped two points behind their opponents on the back of a shambolic second-half display.

Ireland suffered a significant setback before kick-off when James Lowe withdrew due to a back spasm to be replaced on the left wing by Calvin Nash.

Retiring centurions Peter O’Mahony, Healy and Conor Murray led out the teams to a deafening noise ahead of their final Test outings on home soil, closely followed by captain Caelan Doris, Finlay Bealham and Conan, who were each winning 50th caps.

Easterby’s men were determined not to be sidetracked by sentiment in a fixture which has ultimately decided the destination of the title in the previous three years.

The hosts