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 16-0 Ireland, 28 minutes
Still the Irish lineout malfunctions! Gaelle Hermet is hoisted to snatch telegraphed front ball, and France can play inside the Irish half.
Was that the right option? I’m not sure. Caroline Drouin drops ball to boot with an ambitious crossfield kick but Ireland have it well-marked, and France are a little fortunate that a knock-on will allow them another attacking chance.
France 16-0 Ireland, 27 minutes
Another midfield scrum demolition job creates perfect attacking ball for France from halfway, but Ireland drift well in defence. Maelle Filopon is probably guilty of not quite squaring her defender up quite enough before shipping the ball on to Melissande Llorens, who can’t evade Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe. The Irish wing snares Llorens and drags her over the touchline.
TRY! FRANCE 16-0 Ireland (Laure Sansus try, 24 minutes)
A dominant scrum makes it simple for Laure Sansus! Coco Lindelauf has had a brilliant start at scrum-time, again putting Katie O’Dwyer in grief with a proper shunt on the French loosehead side.
The ball is initially controlled well by Romane Menager, who eventually frees it for scrum-half Sansus, who darts to a now exposed blindside with Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe crabbing across to cover a French back overload to the openside.
Sansus has the quick burst of speed to escape clutching Irish arms and a second French score in the left corner extends their advantage - though Caroline Drouin is again unable to add the extras.
France 11-0 Ireland, 23 minutes
France get a nudge on but it’s gone down on the set, so referee Aimee Barrett-Theron will ask the 16 forwards to pick themselves up and do it all over again.
France 11-0 Ireland, 22 minutes
It did strike an Irish hand first, so France will have the scrum feed. Six metres out, about ten in from the left touchline. Good platform.
France 11-0 Ireland, 21 minutes
France’s lineout clicks and Romane Menager takes the ball down. Gabrielle Vernier again hits that short line alongside the maul off the shoulder of Laure Sansus, and then centre partner Maelle Filopon strides through a gap out wide!
Shifted to Emilie Boulard - chopped down by Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe! A vital tackle from the sevens star, managing to snare Boulard from behind before the full-back can release a pass that would have put Melissande Llorens in for her second. France fumble - Ireland survive.
France 11-0 Ireland, 20 minutes
Yet once again the Irish throw has too much on it. It’s just not quite working for the visitors so far.
France 11-0 Ireland, 19 minutes
An error from Laure Sansus, looking to capitalise on a French turnover by flipping the field with a box kick, but misdirecting it - out on the full.
PENALTY! FRANCE 11-0 Ireland (Caroline Drouin penalty, 19 minutes)
Over it goes. France very much on top in this opening quarter and the lead is beginning to swell.
France 8-0 Ireland, 18 minutes
France are guilty of failing to keep their feet at a breakdown and that ends the movement. In fact, they had two advantages there - Ireland were also offside in midfield as their forwards were marched back.
Caroline Drouin fancies another go at the posts.
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