Second IRFU gaffe revealed as French team had to sing anthem without music
IRELAND’S hopes of hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2023 have been hit by another potential blow after a second IRFU gaffe has come to the fore.
At Sunday’s women match, a faulty PA system meant the French women’s rugby team were forced to sing their national anthem without music.
The IRFU was unavailable for comment when asked what caused the apparent audio system fault which meant the French women’s team had to sing ‘a capella’.
The commentator said: “The French have decided to take matters into their own hands and sing.”
While their vocal ability was impressive, they lost by three points against a strong Irish side.
The embarrassing incident came after a French newspaper criticised the post-match reception after the men’s match at the Aviva on Saturday.
The IRFU said the comments were “very disappointing”.
French Rugby Federation secretary Christian Dullin claimed in ‘Midi Olympique’ newspaper that the delegation from the French union were kept apart from their IRFU counterparts during the Captain’s Dinner following Ireland’s 19-9 victory.
He said: “It’s like us hosting other unions at the snack bars under the stands at the Stade de France.
“I spoke to my Irish counterpart. Apparently, this was the first time they had implemented such a protocol.”
IRFU Director of Communications Stephen McNamara said there was no division of the Irish and French committees, and that the post-match reception was run in exactly the same manner as previous Six Nations encounters.
“It is actually a really, really big room. So it might have been a case that, with probably 500 people in that room, they didn’t see our guys. But everybody was in the one room,” said Mr McNamara.
He went on to say that there was a four-course committee dinner on Friday night and a four-course lunch before the game took place.
The article, written by Emmanuel Massicard, had the headline ‘The French Rejected’.
It followed the French team using their jerseys to promote their World Cup bid, with #France2023 printed on each.