French Dominate Determined Ireland In Women's Six Nations Opener

All roads lead to Le Mans this weekend as Ireland took on France in the opening game of the 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations. It finished in a 38-17 win for France but there were plenty of positive takeaways as Scott Bemand coached his first Six Nations game fore Ireland.

Ireland come into the competition this year with a lot to prove. With a fresh coaching ticket in former Red Roses attack coach Bemand and London Irish coach Declan Danaher and a number of fresh faces in the panel, it was a new dawn for the Girls in Green as they took on championship contenders and the third best side in the world, France.

A strong kick off from outhalf Nicole Fowley got Ireland underway while the cheers of the 14,000 strong crowd rang out around the stadium.

France were the first to get themselves on the scoreboard in just the 3rd minute as nippy number 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus broke off the back of a driving maul and crashed over underneath the posts. French outhalf Lina Queyroi then slotted over the two extra points.

Le premier essai du Tournoi 2024 est l’œuvre de Pauline Bourdon Sansus 🔥

📺 @FranceTV #FRAIRL | #SixNationsRugby pic.twitter.com/KVoNmBPxD2

— Six Nations (FR) (@SixNations_FR) March 23, 2024

Irelands first points came in the 12th minute after France gave away a scrum penalty. Nicole Fowley easily slotted over the 3 points.

With just 14 minutes gone the score line stood at 7-3.

France were straight back to in in the minutes that followed as they made their way deep into Ireland's 22. But it was not to be as the ball was dropped just centimetres from the line.

Ireland held Les Bleus out defensively for a further 10 minutes until winger Marine Menager crashed over after a fantastic inside line run off Bourdon Sansus at the back of a ruck. The conversion that followed sailed through the uprights as Queyroi went 2/2.

Pauline Bourdon Sansus 🤝 Marine Menager

📺 @FranceTV #FRAIRL | #SixNationsRugby pic.twitter.com/K8YIz3yXDQ

— Six Nations (FR) (@SixNations_FR) March 23, 2024

France now lead 14-3 with just 8 minutes left in the half.

The final play of the half went in favour of the home side as Ireland gave away a simple penalty for obstruction. Queyroi slotted over the 3 points as the sides ran in at half time 17-3

There was just one change to the Irish side as they returned to the pitch after a physical first half as Dannah O’ Brien replaced Nicole Fowley in the 10 position.

It took France just 7 minutes to find themselves over the whitewash for the 3^rd time as Madoussou Fall crashed over. Lina Queyroi stepped up once again to take the conversion which split the posts like a hot knife through butter. France now lead 24-3.

Ireland were clearly exhausted put up another shift in defence but France found their way back over the try line. But it was not to be in this moment for the French side as the pass was deemed forward by the TMO.

This disappointment was short lived for home side as they crashed over for their 4^th try of the game, securing that all important bonus point. Queyroi soon went 4/4 as she sent yet another conversion coolly through the posts.

France’s lead had now grown to 31-3. A sense of déjà vu was beginning to set in for the Girls In Green but they didn’t let it phase them as they kicked on for the closing 15 minutes.

With nothing to lose, Ireland went hard into attack, earning them penalty just metres from the French try line. A quick tap and go led to Aoife Wafer crashing over for Ireland first try of the championship. Dannah O’ Brien added the extra two points as the gap between the two sides began to shrink to 31-10.

☘️ Irish Power crashes over with Aoife Wafer scoring 🤩#GuinnessW6N @IrishRugby #FRAIRE pic.twitter.com/UVS1MecuVS

— Guinness Women's Six Nations (@Womens6Nations) March 23, 2024

But there was still a bite left in the French as they crashed over for their 5^th and final try of the afternoon in the 74^thminute.

With the score line now standing at 38-10 and only 5 minutes left to play Ireland, undeterred from the score line that was looming, gave it one last go.

With just minutes left on the clock a French pass went awry just at their try line. Spotting this opportunity Aoife Dalton pounced on it and grounded it, much to the delight of her team mates. O’ Brien slotted over the additional 2 points and it was all over.

France had defeated Ireland 38-17.

Not the prettiest of score lines for the Irish side but a lot of positives to be taken away from this game. With just 21 points separating the sides, it brings an air of excitement to the team as they now look forward to their first home game of the championship where they’ll take on Italy in the RDS.

IRELAND: Lauren Delany, Katie Corrigan, Eve Higgins, Aoife Dalton, Beibhinn Parsons; Nicole Fowley, Aoibheann Reilly; Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Christy Haney; Dorothy Wall, Hannah O’ Connor; Aoife Wafer, Edel McMahon; Brittany Hogan.

Subs: Sarah Delaney (76^th min), Niamh O’ Dowd (76^th min), Sadhbh Mcgrath (62^nd min), Fiona Tuite (55^th min), Grace Moore (50^th min), Molly Scuffil-Mccabe (62^nd min), Dannah O’ Brien (40^th min), Meabh Deely (66^th min)

Tries: Aoife Wafer, Aoife Dalton

Cons: Dananh O’ Brien

Pens: Nicole Fowley

FRANCE: Emilie Boulard, Kelly Arbey, Nassira Konde, Gabrielle Vernier, Marine Menager; Lina Queyroi, Oauline Bourdon Sansus; Annaelle Deshayes, Agathe Sochat, Assia Khalfaoui; Manae Feleu, Madoussou Fall; Charlotte Escudero, Gaelle Hermet; Romane Menager.

Subs: Elisa Riffonneau (64^th min), Ambre Mwayembe (55^th min), Clara Joyeaux (64^th min), Kiara Zago (66^th minute), Emeline Gros (50^th min), Alexandra Chambon (60^th min), Lina Tuy (71^st min), Morgane Bourgeois (43^rd min)

Tries: Pauline Bourdon Sansus, Marine Menager, Madoussou Fall, Agathe Sochat

Cons: Lina Queyroi

Pens: Lina Queyroi