Antoine Dupont said his ‘heart hurts even more than the knee’ after he revealed he’d ruptured his cruciate ligament and will miss the rest of the season.

France’s iconic captain suffered a horror lower leg injury in his team’s Six Nations hammering of Ireland in Dublin on Saturday after he was hit at a ruck by Tadhg Beirne.

Fabien Galthie, France’s head coach, described Beirne’s hit as ‘reprehensible.’

On Sunday, Dupont confirmed on social media the seriousness of his injury – one which is set to keep him out for between six and nine months.

As a result, Dupont won’t face Scotland on ‘Super Saturday’ with France now favourites for the Six Nations title. 

He will also miss the remainder of the campaign with his club side Toulouse who are favourites to retain the French Top14 and Champions Cup.

‘The heart hurts even more than the knee when you have to leave your friends before the last step. I am proud of what we accomplished,’ Dupont said.

‘Rupture of the cruciate ligaments. This is the beginning of a new challenge. I'll see you in a few months on the field.’

France on Sunday called up Baptiste Serin and Fabien Brau-Boirie to replace Dupont and Pierre-Louis Barassi. Serin has been in fine form for Toulon this season.

Maxime Lucu, who was excellent off the bench against Ireland when Dupont went off, will start for France against Scotland at No 9 in the absence of the world’s best player.