Determined Ireland show battling

France over the previous four games, this was an improved display, especially in defence.

It was a nightmare start for Ireland with France scoring their first try after just two minutes. The home side’s lineout maul is one of their big weapons and they used it to devastating effect after two minutes with scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus peeling off to score the first try of the 2024 Women’s Six Nations.

It was a nervy start by Ireland but they settled and a penalty from Nicole Fowley in the 14th minute got Ireland on the scoreboard at 7-3.

Fowley certainly didn’t play like it was her first Six Nations game since 2019 with an effective and pragmatic kicking game.

It was also Ireland’s defence that stood out in the first half with French attacking waves being halted or overturned as Ireland scrambled and soaked up the pressure.

The work done by new defence coach Declan Danaher was translated onto the pitch by the players. They were dogged as they made 96 tackles in the first half, compared to France’s 74.

There were bright moments. Number eight Brittany Hogan made a brilliant break up the pitch after 23 minutes and followed it up with a minute later with a brilliant tackle on Nassira Konde.

While the French were having problems of their own at the lineout, this was a major issue for Ireland with four lost lineouts in the first half. For 25 minutes Ireland kept the scoreboard at 7-3 until France got their second try eight minutes before the break.

After a brilliant reverse pass from Sansus, Marine Menager ran a great line and sidestep to score. The conversion and penalty from Lina Queyroi helped France to a 17-3 half-time lead.

There was a change at out-half for Ireland at the start of the second half as Dannah O’Brien replaced Fowley.

Once again, France scored a try early in the half, this time from lock Madoussou Fall.

France got their bonus point thanks to another powerful French rolling maul with hooker Agathe Sochat at