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'Legend of football' inspires Antoine Dupont's France for Ireland

Thierry Henry has his picture taken with Antoine Dupont and the France rugby squad (Photo by FFR)

Antoine Dupont and co had a special visitor to camp last Sunday ahead of next weekend’s Guinness Six Nations showdown with Ireland, retired footballer Thierry Henry whose handball antics helped the French defeat the Irish in Paris and qualify them for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

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It was November 2009 when an infamous handball assist from Henry set up William Gallas for the extra-time goal that broke the hearts of Ireland in a football qualifier play-off at Stade de France.

The goal gave the French a controversial 1-1 second leg draw, allowing them to progress to the finals in South Africa on a 2-1 aggregate score as they had won the first leg 1-0 in Dublin.

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Antoine Dupont previews the Six Nations

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Antoine Dupont previews the Six Nations

Just over 15 years later, Henry has now visited the French rugby team ahead of their gigantic Six Nations round four meeting at Aviva Stadium. Ireland go into the game having won all three fixtures this year in their bid to win an historic hat-trick of titles.

The French, meanwhile, are in second place, three points behind the Irish on the table due to their last-gasp round two loss to England in London.

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A social media message posted on the official French rugby federation X account read: “A French football legend, 1998 World Champion and 2024 Olympic Vice-Champion, honoured us with his presence. Thank you Mr Thierry Henry for these inspiring moments of sharing spent with our XV de France.”

L’Equipe, the French daily sports newspaper, surmised: “Henry’s visit to the French rugby players must have reminded some of this curious (2009) play-off match, without it being known whether the subject was raised or avoided.

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“There is no doubt that the experience of the player turned coach must have captivated Antoine Dupont and his playing partners, in search of a more than important success to hope to win the title in this edition of the Six Nations tournament.”

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2 Comments
R
RedWarriors 20 days ago

The trolling didn’t work that well for Rassie in the South Africa series…and Galthie is no Erasmus. This French team are honorable. Galthies antics might not sit well with the likes of Dupont.

I think the tabloids were more incensed than Ireland about that one. As Roy Keane said, the defender should never have left the ball bounce in the box!

Getting a goal hanger like Henry in was such a waste with a real footballer like Zidane out there.


All said, France don’t troll unless they are sure their garden is in order. They will turn up on Saturday. A reminder to Ireland to double down and not look focus.

B
Blanco 20 days ago

France only troll when they are sure of their own side of the garden. France will turn up. Just double down Ireland. Dont be distracted by Henry, Ringrose etc. Do your thing and like in 2023 France will be confident until suddenly reality will sink in and they wont be.


Not sure if this thrilling giant a mistake by Galthie. France are honorable and were embarrassed by Henry. Not sure the telling suits this French team.

T
Teddy 20 days ago

The former poster boy for FIFA corruption should have no place in rugby.

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reginaldgarcia 1 hour ago
Crusaders rookie earns 'other than Dupont' praise from All Blacks star

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J
JW 2 hours ago
Kyren Taumoefolau All Blacks stance splits opinions on eligibility

MP are a NZ side through and through, NZ is even having to pay for it.

Yes they caved to public demand, I bet it accomplished a lot of internal goals. They could have left it to the other groups, but I’m of the belief that they weren’t showing the capability to make it work as being a good reason for NZR to jump in and do it. I think it’s actually funded 50/50 between NZR and WR though.

(when nothing was stopping a pi player playing for any side in Super Rugby)

Neither is that fact true. Only 3 non NZ players are allowed in each squad.


I see you also need to learn what the term poach means - take or acquire in an unfair or clandestine way. - Moana have more slots for non eligible players (and you have seen many return to an NZ franchise) so players are largely making their own choice without any outside coercion ala Julian Savea.

Not one of these Kiwis and Aussies would go live in the Islands to satisfy any criteria, and I’d say most of them have hardly ever set foot in the islands, outside of a holiday.

Another inaccurate statement. Take Mo’unga’s nephew Armstrong-Ravula, if he is not eligible via ancestry in a couple of generations time, he will be eligible because he plays his rugby there (even if he’s only their for rugby and not living there), that is a recent change made by World Rugby to better reflect examples like Fabian Holland and Fakatava.

It’s becoming the jump-ship/zero loyalty joke that international League is.

Look I understand you’re reason to cry and make an example at any opportunity, but you don’t really need to anymore, other recent changes made by WR are basically going to stop the Ireland situation, and time (perhaps no more than a decade) will fix the rest.

26 Go to comments
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