Dupont ruled out of Nations Championship after calf injury in Top 14 final

Antoine Dupont has been ruled out of France’s Nations Championship squad after sustaining a calf injury during Toulouse’s Top 14 final against Montpellier at the Stade de France on Saturday. The French Rugby Federation confirmed the withdrawal on Monday, hours before the squad’s departure, announcing that scrum-half Paul Graou would take his place.

The FFR’s press release offered no detail on the injury, but specialist outlet Midi Olympique reports a calf problem. Dupont had appeared to pick up the knock in the semi-final, and while he seemed to recover in time for the final, he was visibly limping within two minutes of the second half against Montpellier.

The timing is a significant blow for France’s ambitions in the new cross-hemisphere competition. Dupont had already been ruled out of the opening match against New Zealand on 4 July, but had been expected to feature against Australia on 11 July and Japan on 18 July — what would have been his first competitive Test appearances outside Europe since a 2017 tour of South Africa.

This season has been physically demanding for the 28-year-old captain. He played just 21 matches for a total of 1,159 minutes, having also suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee against Ireland during the 2025 Six Nations. It is the first time in years France have assembled a squad close to full strength for a summer tour, making the absence all the more keenly felt.

Dupont was one of nine Top 14 finalists called up to reinforce the French squad, alongside Toulouse teammates Romain Ntamack, hooker Peato Mauvaka, second row Manny Meafou, flanker Alexandre Roumat, and centre Kalvin Gourgues.

His replacement, Graou, is set to earn his first senior cap. The 28-year-old started 20 of Toulouse’s 31 games this season and steps into a considerable void.

Dupont’s withdrawal is the second enforced change to Les Bleus’ Nations Championship squad before a ball has been kicked. Lock Joshua Brennan, 24, was called up and then withdrawn within hours, also replaced by Roumat.

France face Argentina, Fiji, and South Africa at home in the autumn, with the competition finals scheduled for London at the end of November.