Irish trio Beirne, Porter and Nash escape citing despite efforts of French boss Galthié

Antoine Dupont of France reacts as he receives medical attention during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and France. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Irish international trio Tadhg Beirne, Andrew Porter and Calvin Nash will not be retrospectively punished for their involvements with French players in Saturday's comprehensive Six Nations defeat to Fabien Galthié's charges. 

Galthié had been seething during his post-match media appearances, telling France 2 Television Beirne’s actions were “reprehensible”, and said that he would be citing the trio for their roles in the injuries suffered by scrum-half Antoine Dupont and centre Pierre-Louis Barassi, respectively. 

It is now understood that the citing commissioner, after a review of the two incidents, has opted not to take the matter further. 

Both Beirne and Porter were involved in a ruck that saw France star Dupont leave the field with what has now been confirmed by the two-time World Player of the Year as an ACL injury. 

After review by referee Angus Gardner and TMO Ian Tempest, Beirne and Porter were not found to be in the wrong. Nash received a yellow card for his head collision with Barassi in the second half.

However, with the citing commissioner rejecting the referrals, all three Irish players will be eligible for their encounter against Italy in Rome next Saturday in the final round of the competition.