In a recent Six Nations Women’s rugby match, France triumphed over Ireland with a comfortable 37:17 victory. This marked the 11th match in a row that Ireland has conceded defeat to France. But, unlike the past matches, Ireland showed a glimmer of hope for a likely revival in the making. Two successful tries, which accounted for two-thirds of the team’s total from last season’s wooden spoon campaign, highlighted their gritty determination and a greater sense of organisation.
A noteworthy improvement was observed in Ireland’s defence, where they documented 175 tackles, missing merely 17. Neve Jones led this effort with a remarkable 24 tackles. Other players who made significant contributions included Brittany Hogan, Linda Djougang, Aoife Wafer and Dorothy Wall. The midfield duo, Aoife Dalton and Eve Higgins, also delivered impressive performances.
The French team was typical in their playstyle, leaving several points unclaimed, barring Madoussou Fall’s splendid performance. Ireland managed to contain France’s superior offloading game due to their focus on double tackles.
Yet, as the duel ensued, Ireland’s lineout and scrum faced increased pressure — aspects that need addressing in future matches. In the first half, Ireland adopted a conservative strategy, and Nicole Fowley prominently took a position to play the long game. The second half witnessed a switch in dynamics when Dannah O’Brien stepped in as Fowley’s replacement, bringing a more attack-minded approach.
With the ball seldom reaching the wings, Béibhinn Parsons and Katie Corrigan, it’s evident that Ireland will need to bring innovation to their game in the upcoming crucial match against Italy.
To provide perspective, last season saw France achieving nine tries to none in a 53-3 match in Cork. A year before, France scored six tries in Toulouse, leading to a 40-5 victory. In this context, Ireland’s recent performance where they were predicted to lose by 42 points by bookmakers is commendable.
In a concerning turn of events, it took France less than two minutes to land their first strike. Their enterprising scrumhalf, Pauline Bourdon Sansus, was instrumental in this, securing a penalty in the corner with her strong hold over the ball, which led to Fowley being penalised for holding on. Sansus subsequently masterfully deceived Dalton, making her way through an open edge to score.
Significantly, Ireland managed to hold off a French attack on the goal line shortly after with some commendable defence by fullback Lauren Delany. This was further aided by a rare fumble by usually error-free French hooker, Agathe Sochat. Following a commendable Irish maul and secondary touch find by Fowley, the Irish team even achieved a scrum penalty. Fowley executed this confidently over a distance of 37 metres.
Nonetheless, Fall’s passing technique was by this point puncturing Ireland’s diligent defence, and fullback Émilie Boulard managed to shake off her markers courtesy of an assist from Gaëlle Hermet. However, any further progress was hindered when Edel McMahon managed to down Sochat, allowing Jones to seize a vital turnover penalty.
An impressive tackle by Wafer was supplemented by Djougang and McMahon who jointly pushed back Manaé Feleu. Hogan also showed brilliant defensive tactics, which helped push the game into an attacking lineout situation. Unfortunately, Jones couldn’t quite reach Hannah O’Connor with his throw.
Ireland then had a couple of near misses. Jones and O’Connor managed to stop Charlotte Escudero right at the goal line. Following another Fall assist, Romane Ménager, the French number eight, was thwarted by Dalton just before reaching scoring position, and then Annaëlle Deshaye fumbled when it looked like the home team had a sure score.
These events made France’s second try from just over halfway, especially disconcerting. Bourdon Sansus skillfully tricked Wafer at a ruck’s base, and then slipped a cunning reverse pass to Marine Ménager. This enabled Ménager to shake off Delany, leaving her in the clear.
To this, the 14,000 spectators reacted with a full rendition of La Marseillaise.
Even so, a penalty by Lina Queyroi following McMahon being flagged for obstruction, saw France comfortably settling for it. Despite Fowley’s dismissal, the Irish team stood firm against one final attack to finish up 17-3 at the interval.
In reference to previous years, France had a significant lead of 27-3 during the mid-point of the last year’s game held in Cork, even with a red card conceded in the 21st minute. They had five tries and in the match held two years ago in Toulouse, they had managed to secure a bonus point with a 26-0 lead at half-time.
During half-time, Dannah O’Brien was made to swap places with Fowley by Scott Bemand. France, with their strategic power game and aided by sister duo Romane and Marine Ménager, along with Feleu and Boulard, led Fall to crash over after a series of close-range manoeuvres.
Ireland was not trailing behind, showing a decent performance. However, Dalton was penalised for side entry due to a good exchange with Hogan. When Wall’s offload reached Deshaye, undoing Wafer’s earlier efforts, and shortly after the debutant Kelly Arbey’s apparent first try was disallowed because of Nassire Konde’s offload clearly moving forward, Ireland had a narrow escape.
Just after the hour, Queyroi converted a bonus-point try for Sochat, after the French maul led by the reinforcements began to dominate, especially during the scrum. However, Ireland countered this manoever with a patient lineout drive followed by rucks to earn a close-range penalty. This allowed Wafer to take control from the new scrumhalf, Molly Scuffil-McCabe, and score a resounding try, all thanks to Djougang’s powerful move and an unstoppable body position. O’Brien took the conversion.
Once again France countered, this time through their reserve hooker, Elisa Riffonneau, who successfully got a hit on Kiara Zago before steering the back of the drive to score, with the referee Kat Roche out-ruling the TMO despite a slight technical infringement.
However, through relentless pursuit, Dalton reached the restart and managed to secure a well-deserved try, providing the team with confidence before their significant match against Italy next Sunday.
The game’s score timeline is as follows: Bourdon Sansus made a try after 3 minutes, with Queyroi securing a conversion to make the score 7-0. At the 14-minute mark, Fowley responded with a penalty, bringing the game to 7-3. Ménager scored a try at 32 minutes, followed by another Queyroi conversion, making the score 14-3. Queyroi landed a penalty at the 38-minute mark for a half-time score of 17-3. Fall’s try was converted by Queyroi at 47 minutes (24-3), followed by Sochat’s try at 62 minutes, also converted by Queyroi (31-3). Wafer scored a try at 71 minutes, converted by O’Brien to make it 31-10. Riffonneau’s try was converted by Bourgeois at minute 75 for a 38-10 scoreline. A try by Dalton, with another conversion by O’Brien at 77 minutes, resulted in the final 38-17 score.
The French team comprised of players Émilie Boulard, Kelly Arbey, Nassira Konde, Gabrielle Vernier, Marine Ménager, Lina Queyroi, Pauline Bourdon Sansus, Annaëlle Deshaye, Agathe Sochat, Assia Khalfaoui, Manaé Feleu (captain), Madoussou Fall, Charlotte Escudero, Gaëlle Hermet, and Romane Ménager. Substitutions made during the game included Morgane Bourgeois for M. Ménager (44 mins), Emeline Gros for Fall (51 mins), Ambre Mwayembe for Deshaye and Alexandra Chambon for Bourdon Sansus (both at 61 mins), Elisa Riffonneau for Sochat, Clara Joyeux for Khalfaoui (both at 65 mins), Kiara Zago for Feleu (67 mins), and Lina Tuy for Queyroi (72 mins).
In Ireland, Lauren Delany of Sale Sharks and IQ Rugby, Katie Corrigan of Old Belvedere and Leinster, Eve Higgins of Railway Union and Leinster, Aoife Dalton of Old Belvedere and Leinster, and Connacht’s Béibhinn Parsons, who hails from Blackrock College, line up. Nicole Fowley from Galwegians and Connacht, together with Aoibheann Reilly from Blackrock College and Connacht, have also made the team. Linda Djougang from Old Belvedere and Leinster, Neve Jones from Gloucester-Hartpury, and Christy Haney from Blackrock College and Leinster are also part of the squad. The team also includes Dorothy Wall and Hannah O’Connor hailing from Blackrock College and Munster and Leinster respectively, Aoife Wafer of Blackrock College and Leinster, team captain Edel McMahon of Exeter Chiefs, and Brittany Hogan from Old Belvedere and Ulster.
Substitutions included Dannah O’Brien of Old Belvedere and Leinster taking the place of Fowley at half-time, Grace Moore of Saracens and IQ Rugby replaced McMahon after 51 minutes. Fiona Tuite, representing Old Belvedere and Ulster, stepped in for Wall at the 56-minute mark. Sadhbh McGrath from Cooke and Ulster filled in for Haney, while Molly Scuffil-McCabe from Leinster stepped in for Reilly after 63 minutes. At the 67-minute mark, Méabh Deely from Blackrock College and Connacht replaced Corrigan. Finally, Sarah Delaney from Blackrock College and Leinster took over for Wafer while Niamh O’Dowd from Old Belvedere and Leinster filled in for Djougang, both at 77 minutes. Kat Roche of the USA officiated the game.