Following their emphatic Six Nations reversal to France at Donnybrook on Saturday, Ireland women’s head coach Adam Griggs admitted they were “beaten by a better team”.

Despite Ciara Griffin, Claire Molloy and Sene Naoupu all crossing over for the hosts, they slumped to their third defeat of the tournament.

“A quality side like France, they’ll put you under pressure. They took their chances and scored those tries and they deserved their win. In patches, we can be good, but we just have lapses in concentration,” the New Zealander said after the game.

“At the moment, the lapses in concentration are costing us two or three tries at times. We need to just be that little bit better.

“When something goes wrong, we (need to) problem solve, so we can nip it in the bud as quickly as possible.”

After Irish lock Nichola Fryday was sin-binned for an illegal challenge on opposite number Audrey Forlani, French hooker Caroline Thomas rounded off a line-out maul for a third-minute try.

Ireland’s woes were compounded by Jessy Tremouliere’s conversion, but their initial response was impressive. Though Alison Miller was held up just shy of the line, skipper Griffin broke free of the resulting scrum for a superb five-pointer.

Les Bleus subsequently fired back through winger Ian Jason, only for Griggs’ side to once again showcase their resolve.

Molloy burst through a gap to secure Ireland’s second try. Place-kicker Nicole Fowley made amends for a wayward opening effort by reducing the deficit to two on the first-quarter mark. While Ireland were firmly in the reckoning, France maintained a potent threat in attack. Yanna Rivoalen released loosehead Lise Arricastre for their third try and the visitors sealed a bonus point with a clinical Caroline Boujard finish to leave it 28-12 adrift at the break.

In front of a record crowd of 6,047 for a standalone women’s international in Ireland, Griggs’ charges were back under intense pressure when the action resumed.

Surge

They did their utmost to halt the latest French surge, but Romane Menager ultimately touched down for a 46th-minute score.

It proved to be a mixed evening for the No 8, as an altercation with Griffin saw her red-carded on the hour.

With a host of players already introduced off the bench – including Galway teenager Beibhinn Parsons, who joined debutant Enya Breen among the backs – Ireland immediately increased their attacking tempo.

Ellen Murphy and Eimear Considine combined to set up Sene Naoupu for a simple try on the right-flank.

In spite of their numerical deficiency, France had the final say, courtesy of Forlani and Marine Menager five-pointers in the dying moments.

Ireland will now look to finish the Championship on a positive note when they face Wales next Sunday.

“We’ve got to finish this Championship off strong. We’ve played good in patches and we’re just chasing that 80-minute performance,” Griggs added.

Scorers – Ireland: C Griffin, C Molloy, S Naoupu try each, N Fowley con. France: C Thomas, I Jason, L Arricastre, C Boujard, R Menager, A Forlani, M Menager try each, J Tremouliere 6 cons.

IRELAND – L Delany; E Considine, E Breen, S Naoupu, A Miller (B Parsons 50); N Fowley (E Murphy 55), K Dane (N Cronin 64); L Feely (L Peat 46), D Nic a Bhaird (E Hooban 68), F Reidy (L Djougang 55); A McDermott, N Fryday (C Boles 70); C Griffin, C Molloy, C McLaughlin (A Caplice 55).

FRANCE – J Tremouliere (M Menager 72); C Boujard, Y Yengo (C Imart 76), G Vernier, I Jason; P Bourdon, Y Rivoalen (E Coudert 65); L Arricastre (D Maylis Traore 53), C Thomas (M Soloch 70), C Joyeux (C Pelle 64); C Ferer (L Bobo 76), A Forlani; G Hermet, C Tombe Diallo, R Menager.

REF – I Tempest (England).