'I haven't done anything wrong' - Ireland prop Porter defends Dupont challenge
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Andrew Porter insists there was no malice in his challenge on Antoine Dupont, which resulted in the France skipper rupturing cruciate knee ligaments.
Dupont was forced off after just 30 minutes at the Aviva Stadium last weekend, as Les Bleus boosted their championship hopes with a 42-27 win.
The scrum-half was challenged by Tadhg Beirne, who then fell on the scrum-half's right leg as Porter entered the subsequent ruck.
France coach Fabien Galthie said there was a lot of "anger" in the camp over the incident, but prop Porter defended his actions.
"[Galthie] can say what he wants, see how far it gets him," he said. "I knew what I did. I didn't go out to try to injure anyone. That's not the type of player I am. He's such a pivotal player for them that they nearly don't want him to be touched at all.
"He [Galthie] is entitled to his opinion, but I know I haven't done anything wrong there. I sleep well at night.
"It was a rugby incident. I can barely remember exactly what it is. I think it was in a ruck. His leg got trapped in between a ruck when he was trying to counter it. He, obviously, just got trapped and went over, but that's rugby, that happens."
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Ireland are still in with a chance of claiming an unprecedented third straight Six Nations title on Saturday, though they require a favour from elsewhere.
Simon Easterby's side must record a bonus-victory over Italy in Rome, while hoping table-toppers France fail to beat Scotland in Paris.
"We can sit around and sulk all we like, but we have another job to do next Saturday," Porter added. "If anything, it has emboldened us to go out and put out the rugby we know we can play.
"We've got Italy on their home patch, an incredibly proud team. We'll go out there to do what we know we can do, and put out a performance we can be proud of as players."
