Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

France run in five tries against improving Ireland

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Saturday, 23 March 2024 09:40

France ran in five tries to open the Women's Six Nations with a solid 38-17 win over a much-improved Ireland.

The French led 17-3 at half-time in Le Mans but Ireland were resolute in defence and scored two late tries from Aoife Wafer and Aoife Dalton.

The hosts rarely hit top gear but still had a bonus point after 62 minutes.

France are away to Scotland next week while Ireland are at home to Italy and after this display, will be targeting a home win in Dublin on Easter Sunday.

Ireland show signs of improvement

France ran in nine tries in a 53-3 rout of Ireland in Cork last year, in a disappointing campaign for the Irish which ended with the Wooden Spoon.

The French may have expected a similarly one-sided game when Pauline Bourdon Sansus scored the opening try after just three minutes in Stade Marie-Marvingt.

The hosts developed early momentum off their maul and the scrum-half, the outstanding player of the first half, spun off the back of the maul and darted through the defence.

Lina Queyroi converted, but it soon became evident that the Ireland defence would be able to repel a lot of what the hosts had to offer in attack.

The cover tackles and scramble defence from Ireland was superb and they were able to put enough pressure on to force the French into handling errors.

The Irish players' confidence grew with each turnover and the visitors deservedly got some points on the board in the 14th minute when the French conceded a scrum penalty and fly-half Nicole Fowley landed a penalty.

With half an hour played, the score was still just 7-3 to France.

Neve Jones won a great turnover under the posts and Hannah O'Connor held Charlotte Escudero up over the line when the French were closing in on a second try.

Clean exits and an improved kicking game allowed Ireland to play in the right areas and they won good field position on occasions, Brittany Hogan with one memorable break.

French frustration grew with an Annaelle Deshayes knock-on from a metre out but they finally punched in a second try from Marine Menager after a lovely off-load back inside by Bourdon Sansus.

A conversion and subsequent penalty from Queyroi before half-time gave France a 17-3 interval lead, with Ireland making them work very hard for what they got.

However, the scoreline got away from Ireland a little either side of half-time.

France started bossing territory and possession in the second half and Ireland could only hold out for so long.

Playing with a penalty advantage, France pounded the Irish line before Madoussou Fall spotted a gap and dotted down under the posts.

Queyroi's easy conversion made it 24-3 to France after 47 minutes.

Exciting winger Kelly Arbey thought she had scored on her debut 10 minutes later but the try was disallowed for a forward pass in the build-up.

But France had the fourth try and bonus point wrapped up after 62 minutes when hooker Agathe Sochat scored off a textbook line-out.

Ireland scored their first try of the tournament through flanker Wafer in the 71st minute.

The visitors did not have many entries into the French 22 and came away with points after a tap and go and big carry.

Wafer's grounding was checked by the TMO but the try was no more than Ireland deserved.

France's replacement hooker Elisa Riffonneau crashed over for their fifth try but Ireland kept going and good chasing by Dalton gave Ireland an opportunistic score late on.

Read 24 times

Soccer

U.S. youth Figueroa signs pro deal with Liverpool

U.S. youth Figueroa signs pro deal with Liverpool

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsUnited States youth international Keyrol Figueroa has signed a prof...

Mbappé takes blame for PSG: 'I didn't do enough'

Mbappé takes blame for PSG: 'I didn't do enough'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsParis Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappé gets the credit when hi...

U.N. proclaims May 25 as World Football Day

U.N. proclaims May 25 as World Football Day

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFootball fans around the world will now have a day to celebrate the...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

NBA confirms key illegal screen call on Turner

NBA confirms key illegal screen call on Turner

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner was correctly called...

Nuggets' Murray fined, avoids suspension for toss

Nuggets' Murray fined, avoids suspension for toss

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNuggets guard Jamal Murray was fined $100,000 but avoided a suspens...

Baseball

Rangers 'break out' in 10-run inning, roll past A's

Rangers 'break out' in 10-run inning, roll past A's

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOAKLAND, Calif. -- Marcus Semien had four hits and five RBIs, and t...

Bellinger comes off IL, hits solo HR in Cubs' win

Bellinger comes off IL, hits solo HR in Cubs' win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs activated center fielder Cody Bellinger...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated