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,

The fallout from Antoine Dupont's ACL injury, which he suffered during his side's 42-27 win in Dublin, continues to rumble on, with Galthie firmly laying the blame at the feet of Irish forward duo Tadhg Beirne and Andrew Porter.

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".

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.