France skipper Antoine Dupont pulled off this mind-blowing tackle in the Six Nations.
Six Nations: Is this the greatest ever try-saving tackle in rugby?
Watch how France skipper Antoine Dupont pulls off a miracle tackle against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.
France skipper Antoine Dupont pulled off this mind-blowing tackle in the Six Nations.
France scrumhalf and captain Antoine Dupont defied the laws of physics when he made this try-saving tackle in their Six Nations Test against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.
Ireland stormed to a famous 32-19 Six Nations victory against France to end Les Bleus’ 14-match winning run and boost their own title hopes.
The result marked France’s first Six Nations defeat since Scotland’s win at the Stade de France two years ago, while Ireland have now won 13 matches in a row at home — a new record.
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All that said, it was Dupont who had social media abuzz courtesy of his insane tackle to deny what looked to be a certain try.
One overly ambitious pass from France flyhalf Romain Ntamack was picked off by Mack Hansen, who then spread the ball wide to his Irish teammate Hugo Keenan. He looked to be away but Thomas Ramos got back well forcing him to grubber through.
This time it was Gaël Fickou who got back but when the ball sprayed loose, Hansen picked up and looked certain to score, only for Dupont to get back and show immense strength to not only hold him up but force him back.
While fans were still questioning whether what they’ve just witness was real or not, a clip of Dupont’s insane effort was posted on the official Six Nations social media platforms and quickly went viral.
The Six Nations French Twitter account said “this player is not human”, while TV commentators were left awe-struck.
Miles Harrison said: “To hold someone out from that distance. He’s taller than him, he’s bigger than him and heavier than him. The desire to keep Mack Hansen out there from Antoine Dupont. It might sound obvious but that’s almost impossible.”
In the studio at half-time, Australia great George Gregan said he would have never been able to make the tackle. Brian O’Driscoll heaped on the praise too, saying: “The coverage, the simple things done extremely well is what makes him the world-class player that he is.”
“Would you have made the tackle?” asked presenter Jill Douglas. “No chance!” said Gregan.
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Former England prop David Flatman said on Twitter: “That Dupont tackle made Hansen look like one of those people on the news being filmed leaning into a gale force wind at an impossible angle.”
Former England back Ugo Monye said: “Genuinely one of the best try saving tackles I’ve seen. Mental strength from Dupont.”
While a third Englishman tweeted: “Think Antoine Dupont wins tackle of the Six Nations…..so far!!!”
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IRELAND VS FRANCE SCORERS AND TEAMS:
Ireland — Tries: Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Andrew Porter, Garry Ringrose. Conversions: Johnny Sexton (2), Ross Byrne. Penalties: Sexton, Byrne.
France — Try: Damian Penaud. Conversion: Thomas Ramos. Penalties: Ramos (3). Drop goal: Ramos.
Ireland — 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (captain), 9 Conor Murray, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 James Ryan, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Andrew Porter.
Subs: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Bundee Aki.
France — 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Ethan Dumortier, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Paul Willemse, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille.
Subs: 16 Gaetan Barlot, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Sipili Falatea, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Francois Cros, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Baptiste Couilloud, 23 Matthieu Jalibert.
