France Kick Off Six Nations with Commanding 38-17 Win Over Ireland
France kicked off their Women’s Six Nations campaign with an impressive 38-17 victory over Ireland, securing five tries in a match that showcased Ireland’s improved performance.
Taking charge early on, France established a 17-3 lead by halftime in Le Mans. Despite Ireland’s resilient defense, with late tries from Aoife Wafer and Aoife Dalton, the French managed to maintain their dominance.
Although France didn’t quite hit their peak performance, they secured a bonus point by the 62nd minute mark. With their next match against Scotland looming, France looks to maintain their momentum, while Ireland aims to capitalize on their progress in their upcoming home fixture against Italy, eyeing a win on Easter Sunday in Dublin.
Reflecting on Ireland’s improvement, it’s noteworthy how they stood up against France, considering their 53-3 defeat in Cork last year, which marked a disappointing campaign for the Irish team.
The match started with an early try from France’s Pauline Bourdon Sansus, just three minutes into the game. However, Ireland’s defense proved resilient, thwarting many of France’s attacking moves with commendable cover tackles and scramble defense.
Ireland gained confidence with each turnover and managed to put points on the board through a penalty from fly-half Nicole Fowley. Despite France’s early lead, Ireland’s defense held firm, denying further tries with crucial turnovers and goal-line stands.
As the game progressed, France began to assert their dominance, capitalizing on territory and possession. Despite Ireland’s efforts, France’s pressure eventually led to a second-half try from Madoussou Fall, extending their lead to 24-3.
Though Ireland fought back with a try from Wafer and later Dalton, France sealed the victory with their fourth and fifth tries, securing the bonus point. Despite the loss, Ireland’s late tries demonstrated their determination and resilience.
Overall, France’s comprehensive victory and Ireland’s improved performance set the stage for an exciting Women’s Six Nations tournament, with both teams looking to build on their strengths in the matches to come.
