In a stunning display of bravery, France has proven that you can actually win a rugby match without your captain—just ask Antoine Dupont's knee, now resting comfortably on a pillow with a Netflix subscription. In a thrilling showdown at the Aviva Stadium, the French team overcame the early hurdles of losing their star player to clinch a 42-27 victory over Ireland, the reigning champions. Rugby analysts are now questioning whether Dupont’s knee might not be a better captain than Dupont himself. Dupont, who was last seen clutching his knee and auditioning for the role of "The Most Dramatic Injury" in an upcoming sports film, left the field after just half an hour. The heartbreak of fans was palpable—as was the sweet, sweet smell of victory that soon wafted through the stands. With Dupont sidelined, France decided it was time to embrace their inner gladiators, bulldozing through Ireland's defenses like a French bulldog at a croissant convention. Les Bleus, undeterred by the absence of their leader who was reportedly "just a bit miffed," quickly turned from knockout contenders to knockout artists. They rolled up their sleeves, summoned their best Jean-Claude Van Damme impressions, and proceeded to score at will. The French side’s newfound power was powered by something they call "adrenaline mixed with an alarming amount of brie and baguettes." With the scoreboard flipped in their favor, the crowd witnessed what can only be described as “rugby magic.” The head coach was last seen scribbling out a plan titled "Operation: Muscles Over Minds," while players executed moves clearly inspired by interpretative dance mixed with a touch of blind fury. In a post-match press conference, the French players took turns praising the resilience of the team, with one player attributing their success to Dupont's "knee, which is now our new tactical advisor." When asked about what they would do differently in the next match if Dupont was back, the trainers just shrugged and mentioned, "We’ll just run the playbook from 'Knee’s Greatest Hits.'" As they bask in glory, France now leads the Six Nations table with 16 points—two ahead of Ireland—and reigns as the new arch-nemeses of the Irish. Meanwhile, Dupont has traded his rugby jersey for a cozy robe, vowing to return stronger than ever, as long as the knee doesn’t demand full control. In a shocking twist, the French hope to leverage Dupont’s injury into a lucrative merchandise line: “Dupont’s Knee Fantasy,” which promises to be the hottest selling item this winter—perfect for anyone looking to understand what it means to be on the sidelines yet still manage to win big.