Ireland defender Andrew Porter insisted “I have done nothing wrong” as he responded to France manager Fabien Galtier amid the aftermath of Antoine Dupont's season-ending knee injury.
Les Bleus captain Dupont, widely regarded as the best player in the world, faces a long spell on the sidelines after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during his side's 42-27 win in the Guinness Six Nations in Dublin.
France were furious over the incident that led to the injury, with Galthie calling it “unacceptable” and voicing his intention to refer the case of Irish pair Porter and Tadhg Byrne to the commissioner for possible retrospective punishment.
Leinster free agent Porter, who like team-mate Byrne could feature in Saturday's matchday five trip to Italy, insisted there was “no malice” involved.
“He can say whatever he wants, we'll see how far it takes him,” Porter said of Galthie.
“No, I wasn't upset (about being called up). I knew what I was doing; I didn't go out there to intentionally injure anyone. I'm not that kind of player. If he (Galthie) wants to think that way, that's his right.
“I even sent Antoine a message on Instagram just to see how he was feeling. Obviously, no one wants to see someone leave the pitch in that condition.
“If the head coach asks you to head the ball, then, frankly speaking, that’s too much.
“But he's such an important player to them that they almost don't want him touched at all. Look, he's entitled to his opinion, but I know I didn't do anything wrong. I sleep peacefully at night.”
Dupont was clearly upset when he limped off the pitch 29 minutes into Saturday's match after Burnet, who appeared to have been pushed by Porter, fell on his right leg, causing it to buckle.
France's anger grew in the second half as they turned a slim 8-6 lead into a decisive victory that put them in first place to win the championship and stop
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
