Ireland 13
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France 10
Murray Kinsella reports from Donnybrook
IRELAND WOMEN REMAIN on track for a Grand Slam after a third win in three Six Nations games, following up victories over Scotland and Italy with success against France in front of 3,886 people at Donnybrook this afternoon.
Ireland are still on for a Grand Slam. Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO
A second-half try from hooker Leah Lyons proved crucial for Tom Tierney’s side, while out-half Nora Stapleton provided eight points off the tee in a professional performance that ensured a happy ending to what has been a strange week for women’s rugby.
With Sene Naoupu, Hannah Tyrrell and Alison Miller having been pulled to go on sevens duty in Las Vegas, Ireland were missing three backline starters, but others stepped into the breach as rain fell intermittently over the Dublin venue.
Claire McLaughlin was robust in midfield alongside the always influential Jenny Murphy, while wings Kim Flood and Eimear Considine provided work rate on the wings, even in a game where possession didn’t regularly come their way.
Ireland still have a visit to Cardiff to come before they welcome England to Dublin on the final weekend of the championship, with the English leading the way at the top of the Six Nations table after three rounds, but only ahead of Ireland on points difference.
The final two rounds promise to be thrilling and the possibility of an Irish Grand Slam is there.
A silly holding penalty on Claire Molloy by French openside Romane Menager at a defensive scrum – called by the TMO – allowed Stapleton to open the scoring for Ireland after 12 minutes, soon after the out-half had hit the right post with her first shot at goal.
Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO
Though Ireland had territorial dominance for much of the opening half, they couldn’t extend that lead and had to deal with some 22 pressure of their own heading into the interval.
Captain Paula Fitzpatrick was sin binned for dragging down a maul, but Ireland survived the brief onslaught and won a scrum penalty to take them into half time with their 3-0 advantage intact.
With the skies opening up again in the second half, an early error from Tierney’s side proved costly, with Sophie Spence and Marie Louise Reilly losing the ball in contact outside the Irish 22, allowing France scrum-half Jade le Pesq to counter-attack.
The recycled ball was shifted right and Elodie Poublan released centre partner Caroline Ladagnous into clear space to sprint over for the opening try, converted by fullback Jessy Tremouliere.