Lapses in concentration cost Ireland dearly, says Griggs
Women’s Six Nations
Ireland 17
France 47
Daire Walsh
Donnybrook
Ireland coach Adam Griggs pointed to ‘lapses in concentration’ after his side were outclassed and out-thought by France at Donnybrook on Saturday evening.
Despite Ciara Griffin, Claire Molloy and Sene Naoupu crossing for the hosts – in front of a record Irish crowd for a standalone women’s international – they suffered their third loss 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.
“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 pounced for a converted third-minute try.
However, Ireland’s initial response to this set-back was impressive. Though Alison Miller was held up just shy of the line, skipper Griffin broke free of the resulting scrum for a superb try.
The French subsequently fired back through winger Ian Jason, only for Griggs’ side to once again display their mettle.
On her 68th senior international appearance, Molloy burst through a half-gap to secure Ireland’s second try. Place-kicker Nicole Fowley made amends for a wayward opening effort by reducing the Irish deficit to two on the first-quarter mark.
While they appeared to be back in the reckoning, Lise Arricastre and Caroline Boujard touched down to give France a commanding 28-12 interval advantage.
French No 8 Romane Menager increased their cushion with a fifth try on the restart, before she was sensationally red-carded on the hour.
With a host of players already introduced off the bench, Ireland immediately increased their attacking tempo.
Following a quick transition out of a ruck, Ellen Murphy and Eimear Considine combined to set up Sene Naoupu for a simple try on the right-flank.
Despite their numerical deficiency, however, France had the final say courtesy of Forlani and Marine Menager five-pointers.
Ireland will now look to finish the Championship on a positive note when they face Wales at Cardiff Arms Park on 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 for Ireland: C Griffin, C Molloy, S Naoupu try each, N Fowley con.
Scorers for 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; N Fowley, K Dane; L Feely, D Nic a Bhaird, F Reidy; A McDermott, N Fryday; C Griffin, C Molloy, C McLaughlin.
Replacements: L Peat for Feely (46 mins), B Parsons for Miller (50), E Murphy for Fowley, L Djougang for Reidy, A Caplice for McLaughlin (all 55), N Cronin for Dane (64), E Hooban for Nic a Bhaird (68), C Boles for Fryday (70).
FRANCE: J Tremouliere; C Boujard, Y Yengo, G Vernier, LIJason; P Bourdon, Y Rivoalen; L Arricastre, C Thomas, C Joyeux; C Ferer, A Forlani; G Hermet, C Tombe Diallo, R Menager.
Replacements: D Maylis Traore for Arricastre (53 mins), C Pelle for Joyeux (64), E Coudert for Rivoalen (65), M Soloch for Thomas (70), M Menager for Tremouliere (72), L Bobo for Ferer, C Imart for Yengo (both 76).
Referee: I Tempest (England).