Heartbreak for Ireland Women as France surge to narrow win in Ashbourne

After a lengthy delay due to floodlight failure, the visitors withstood a late Irish onslaught.

Ireland Women 5

France Women 10

Daire Walsh reports from Ashbourne

ON A NIGHT of great uncertainty at Ashbourne RFC, Ireland were on the receiving end of an agonising defeat to defending champions France in a keenly-contested Women’s Six Nations encounter.

There was a nightmare scenario at the start of the second period in the north Meath venue, when a series of floodlight failures put the remainder of the game in doubt.

An IRFU spokesperson later revealed that a filter in the Milltown House generator had stopped working, and with both teams eager to finish game on the evening, the second pitch was made available for use.

The problem with the generator was eventually resolved, though, and the teams resumedan intriguing tactical battle.

Recent encounters between these two teams have been tight affairs, and during the opening quarter, it was evident that each score was going to be vital.

France had dominated possession in the first-half, but with but full-back Jessy Tremoulière off-target on both occasions, the 2013 Grand Slam champions remained on level terms with their successors at the break.

This set up an enticing second half, but just 15 seconds after the restart, the floodlights suddenly faded. However, 50 minutes after the action had originally resumed, there was finally a return to normal service.

As it transpired, the lengthy disruption was of more benefit to Ireland, who finally opened the scoring courtesy of an unconverted try from powerful prop Ailis Egan on 47 minutes.

However, just when another memorable success was in sight, winger Caroline Boujard intercepted a wayward Irish pass and proceeded to cross over for a runaway try.

Out-half Jessy Tremoulière added the conversion in comprehensive fashion, and offered further breathing space to the visitors with a coolly-slotted penalty eight minutes from time.

In a frantic finale, Nora Stapleton, Katie Fitzhenry and Alison Miller almost snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for Ireland, but following stern defensive work by France, they ultimately came up just short.

Ireland Women Scorers: Tries: Ailis Egan 

Conversions:

Penalties:

France Women Scorers: 

Tries: C Boujard

Conversions: J Tremoulière

Penalties: J Tremoulière

Ireland Women: Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster); Aoife Doyle (Shannon/Munster), Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock/Leinster), Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Connacht); Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Larissa Muldoon (Skewen); Ruth O’Reilly (Galwegians/Connacht), Gillian Bourke (Olympico de Pozuelo), Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary’s/Leinster), Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht), Heather O’Brien (Highfield/Munster).

Replacements: Sarah Mimnagh (Wasps/Exile), Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemians/Munster), Fiona O’Brien (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Orla Fitzsimons (St. Mary’s/Leinster), Katie Norris (Blackrock/Leinster), Tania Rosser (Blackrock/Leinster), Jackie Shiels (Richmond/Exile), Sene Naoupu (Galwegians/Connacht).

France Women: Jessy Tremoulière (Romagnat); Caroline Boujard (Perpignan), Elodie Poublan (Montpellier), Céline Héguy (Bayonne), Julie Billes (Perpignan); Camille Cabalou (Bayonne), Yanna Rivoalen (Lille-Villeneuve d’Ascq); Lise Arricastre (Lons), Gaëlle Mignot (Montpellier), Julie Duval (Ovalie Caennaise), Manon André (Blagnac-Saint-Orens), Marine de Nadaï (Montpellier), Coumba Tombe Diallo (Stade Bordelais), Laetitia Grand (Lons), Safi N’Diaye (Montpellier).

Replacements: Wendy Divoux (Perpignan), Elodie Portaries (Montpellier), Céline Ferer (Bayonne), Pauline Rayssac (Montpellier), Cécilia Saubusse (Bordeaux), Carla Neissen (Blagnac-Saint-Orens), Laura Delas (Tarbes), Christelle Chobet (Perpignan).

Referee: Claire Hodnett (England).