Women’s Six Nations
Ireland 5 France 10

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 northMeath venue, when a series of floodlight failures put the remainder of the game in doubt.

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

The problem with the generator was eventually resolved, though, and the teamsresumed an 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 did have a chance to break the deadlock from penalties in the 22nd and 26th minutes respectively, but full-back Jessy Tremoulière was off-target on both occasions. Indeed, the longer the play progressed, the more inevitable a scoreless opening period seemed, and so it proved.

This set up an enticing second half, but just 15 seconds after the restart, the floodlights suddenly faded.

With no obvious resolution in sight, the possibility of the game switching to theclub’s second pitch was mooted. 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 attacked Les Bleus with intensity after the teams returned to the field of play.

The 46th- minute sin-binning of lock Marine De Nadai increased the pressure on the visitors, and after Reilly brilliantly claimed a lineout on the right flank, prop Ailis Egan powered over for a superbly-crafted unconverted try.

Ireland were now playing with confidence and authority, but with 64 minutes gone, they suffered a hammer blow.

Winger Caroline Boujard intercepted a wayward Irish pass and proceeded to crossover for a runaway try.

Out-half Jessy Tremoulière added the conversion in comprehensive fashion, which meant that the holders were suddenly in the ascendancy.

It was going to take a mammoth effort for Ireland to swing the pendulum back and they certainly weren’t helped by the yellow card issued to flanker Paula Fitzpatrick eight minutes from time.

A sweetly-struck Tremoulière place-kick offered breathing space to the French, but during a frantic conclusion, Ireland displayed their never-say-die attitude in abundance.

Nora Stapleton, Katie Fitzhenry and Alison Miller were all agonisingly close to the line, but despite their best endeavours, they ultimately came up just short as France held on.

Scorers for Ireland Women: A Egan try.

Scorers for France Women: C Boujard try, J Tremoulière con.

IRELAND WOMEN: N Briggs; A Doyle, J Murphy, K Fitzhenry, A Miller; N Stapleton, L Muldoon; R O’Reilly, G Bourke, A Egan; S Spence, ML Reilly; P Fitzpatrick, C Molloy, H O’Brien.

Replacements: T Rosser for Muldoon (54), F Hayes for O’Reilly (66).

FRANCE WOMEN: J Tremoulière; C Boujard, E Poublan, C Héguy, J Billes; C Cabalou, Y Rivoalen; L Arricastre, G Mignot, J Duval; M André, M de Nadaï; C Tombe Diallo, L Grand, S N’Diaye.

Replacements: P Rayssac for Grand (35), C Ferer for de Nadaï (68), L Delas for Boujard (80).

Referee: C Hodnett (England).