France vs Ireland LIVE: Women’s Six Nations result, final score and reaction as France secure bonus point win
Follow all the Women’s Six Nations latest updates and live action from France vs Ireland
Ireland are still searching for their first win of the TikTok Women’s Six Nations after being overwhelmed 40-5 by France in Toulouse.
Outside centre Eve Higgins crossed under the posts for the visitors in the 56th minute but it was a lone highlight on a difficult afternoon at the Stade Ernest-Wallon.
It was the second time Higgins had touched down but an earlier try was ruled out by the TMO.
Ireland were hampered by a high penalty count but having trailed 26-0 at half-time, leaking four tries in the process, they improved after the interval.
Livewire France scrum-half Laure Sansus ran in tries in each half to emerge as the most effective player for the hosts, who have now collected a maximum 10 match points after two rounds.
France 26-0 Ireland, 39 minutes
All a little bit ugly from the restart - the Irish kick drifts long but Caroline Drouin tries to clear from inside her own in-goal, slicing it horribly. It bounces, rather fortuitously, into French hands, and eventually they clear more effectively, before an Irish fumble grants them a last chance of the half to shove at scrum-time.
TRY! FRANCE 26-0 Ireland, 38 minutes
“I can see no compelling evidence to overturn your on-field call,” says Ian Tempest - the try is awarded! Clara Joyeux arrived on to Laure Sansus’ short pass and rode the challenge of the Irish tackler, initially stalled but helped on by a teammate. She just, and I mean just, manages to find a space to get the ball to ground, and that’s the bonus point secured for France inside the first half.
No dice for Caroline Drouin again, striking the protective pad of the left-hand post.
Try? France 21-0 Ireland, 37 minutes
This is really, really tough to call. Aimee Barrett-Theron thinks she has seen it down on the field, but have Ireland managed to get a limb underneath the ball?
France 21-0 Ireland, 37 minutes
Here come France! Maelle Filopon makes the initial bust, Caroline Drouin and Madoussou Fall keep the momentum going, and the bodies arrive in support.
Out to the right, and Cyrielle Banet’s piston-like thighs carry several bodies with her. Upstairs for another check - have France got over?
France 21-0 Ireland, 35 minutes
France’s breakdown work has been impressive today, as has Gabrielle Vernier, who appears to be considering opening a chiropractic practice. Another thumping of an Irish midsection from Vernier allows a teammate to pilfer the ball.
France 21-0 Ireland, 34 minutes
Another lineout error! Jones hits her jumper but as Ireland try to form the maul, bothersome French hands force a fumble, and the hosts are able to gather and kick long downfield.
France 21-0 Ireland, 32 minutes
There haven’t been too many chances for Sam Monaghan to get her offloading arms working today, and that won’t be one, either, Gabrielle Vernier driving her back just as the second-row begins to draw the periscope for an over-the-top distribution. Monaghan wisely clings on.
That’s better from Ireland. Some lovely handling from Edel McMahon at the line puts Neve Jones through a gap and France are then penalised for a lifting tackle, even if Jones was put down gently in the end.
TRY! FRANCE 21-0 Ireland (Audrey Forlani try, 31 minutes)
Madoussou Fall was somehow repelled but there is nothing wrong with the finish of her second row partner! Audrey Forlani stoops her long frame to gather the ball, which is within a gnat’s hair of the line, and forces it down between two Irish bodies tight to the breakdown. She’s not bound in, so there’s no question of the legality of her pick up and powerful place, so up goes Aimee Barrett-Theron’s arm as she blows the whistle to award the score.
Another missed conversion from Caroline Drouin.
Try? France 16-0 Ireland, 30 minutes
France to within a metre with the maul. Has Madoussou Fall got there? Not quite! Her reach falls just shy. Maybe this time? Clara Munarini on the touchline has spotted a grounding but Aimee Barrett-Theron wants to check this with TMO Ian Tempest...
France 16-0 Ireland, 29 minutes
Of course, it begins with the scrum penalty that is now becoming something of an inevitability, and it probably won’t be long before Aimee Barrett-Theron thinks about stiffer punishment.. Laure Sansus’ grubber is grounded by Ireland, so back we will come; Caroline Drouin pokes the penalty into the corner for a France lineout.
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