Ireland Women 5
France Women 10
Daire Walsh reports from Ashbourne
ON A NIGHT of great uncertainty at Ashbourne RFC, Ireland were on the receiving end of an agonising defeat to defending champions France in a keenly-contested Women’s Six Nations encounter.
There was a nightmare scenario at the start of the second period in the north Meath venue, when a series of floodlight failures put the remainder of the game in doubt.
An IRFU spokesperson later revealed that a filter in the Milltown House generator had stopped working, and with both teams eager to finish game on the evening, the second pitch was made available for use.
The problem with the generator was eventually resolved, though, and the teams resumed an intriguing tactical battle.
Recent encounters between these two teams have been tight affairs, and during the opening quarter, it was evident that each score was going to be vital.
France had dominated possession in the first-half, but with but full-back Jessy Tremoulière off-target on both occasions, the 2013 Grand Slam champions remained on level terms with their successors at the break.
This set up an enticing second half, but just 15 seconds after the restart, the floodlights suddenly faded. However, 50 minutes after the action had originally resumed, there was finally a return to normal service.
As it transpired, the lengthy disruption was of more benefit to Ireland, who finally opened the scoring courtesy of an unconverted try from powerful prop Ailis Egan on 47 minutes.
However, just when another memorable success was in sight, winger Caroline Boujard intercepted a wayward Irish pass and proceeded to cross over for a runaway try.
Out-half Jessy Tremoulière added the conversion in comprehensive fashion, and offered further breathing space to the visitors with a coolly-slotted penalty eight minutes from time.
In a frantic finale, Nora Stapleton, Katie Fitzhenry and Alison Miller almost snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for Ireland, but following stern defensive work by France, they ultimately came up just short.
Ireland Women Scorers: Tries: Ailis EganConversions:
Penalties:
France Women Scorers:
Tries: C Boujard
Conversions: J Tremoulière
Penalties: J Tremoulière
Ireland Women: Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster); Aoife Doyle (Shannon/Munster), Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock/Leinster), Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Connacht); Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Larissa Muldoon (Skewen); Ruth O’Reilly (Galwegians/Connacht), Gillian Bourke (Olympico de Pozuelo), Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary’s/Leinster), Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht), Heather O’Brien (Highfield/Munster).
Replacements: Sarah Mimnagh (Wasps/Exile), Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemians/Munster), Fiona O’Brien (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Orla Fitzsimons (St. Mary’s/Leinster), Katie Norris (Blackrock/Leinster), Tania Rosser (Blackrock/Leinster), Jackie Shiels (Richmond/Exile), Sene Naoupu (Galwegians/Connacht).
France Women: Jessy Tremoulière (Romagnat); Caroline Boujard (Perpignan), Elodie Poublan (Montpellier), Céline Héguy (Bayonne), Julie Billes (Perpignan); Camille Cabalou (Bayonne), Yanna Rivoalen (Lille-Villeneuve d’Ascq); Lise Arricastre (Lons), Gaëlle Mignot (Montpellier), Julie Duval (Ovalie Caennaise), Manon André (Blagnac-Saint-Orens), Marine de Nadaï (Montpellier), Coumba Tombe Diallo (Stade Bordelais), Laetitia Grand (Lons), Safi N’Diaye (Montpellier).
Replacements: Wendy Divoux (Perpignan), Elodie Portaries (Montpellier), Céline Ferer (Bayonne), Pauline Rayssac (Montpellier), Cécilia Saubusse (Bordeaux), Carla Neissen (Blagnac-Saint-Orens), Laura Delas (Tarbes), Christelle Chobet (Perpignan).
Referee: Claire Hodnett (England).
The flood lights failing, very little media coverage, practically impossible to get an update on the score… While the under 20s male team have television coverage and Setanta are showing school’s rugby! What a shame for Women’s rugby, terribly disappointing.
Thank god the under 20 game was on! It was unreal
Caitriona, it is truly sickening to hear that. While the male teams are televised, the far superior women’s team doesn’t get a show. This just summarises the sexist undertones of the Irish broadcasting service. What despicable human beings decided not to show the Women’s Rugby? No doubt they lost due to this sickening sexism. These women will bounce back and show the men they are truly superior.
Womens sport is absolute muck to watch so why show it on tv
Women’s tennis is great. Although I dunno how the Williams brothers have gotten away with it for years.
Not really at least the other 2 are somewhat exciting
They have shown womens game on tv before but its a win for RTE that u20s game was unreal great to watch on a friday night
Catriona.. Get over yourself.. Who cares! U20s are the future and the real deals today! You have to realize people don’t really care about the women’s game.. No offense!
Berta, I really hope you’re being somewhat sarcastic. If not then you’ve made a right eejit of yourself.
Awwww….no bandwagon of “fans” this year girls.
Brave, even heroic performance by the forwards. But Ireland really shot themselves int the foot with some catastrophic decision-making at the death. And there is no way to put it nicely, but Stapleton is an appalling out-half who is dragging this team down.
ffs who is likely to spend an evening watching women’s rugby on TV ?
Get real !
I would if they wore skirts and made their own sandwiches at half time.
Wonder can they boil a ham?
Good man Philip Browne. You should be proud of tonights work ..!! Delaney and yourself are a pair..
Ffs… Reading some of the lads comments here is embarrassing to say the least “women’s sport is muck” says one. I’m sure they think they’re are being hilarious when in fact they are just complete dicks. It was a very entertaining match last night in Ash. But the venue is now too small due to the huge demand to support our women’s rugby team.
Joke women sports in Ireland second class citizens
That might be because women’s sport in general is second rate.
Womens rugby is were men’s rugby was 20/25 years ago exposure on a few chat shows no they are demanding the avaia
Rubbish. Men’s rugby has always had a huge following at international level. All this moaning about the lack of coverage of women’s rugby is wierd, how many people complaining have ever attended a women’s Rugby match ? Or could name the team?
This game should have been played in Donnybrook not Ashbourne, time to give the women a better place to play
RMcG, I think the reason it was played in Ashbourne was to take rugby outside Dublin and try to get other Counties interested in it.
Eoin…you’re a Langer…which is much smaller than a pric…
Just something wrong watching wimmin play rugger, just not natural. And who makes the decision to show an underage rugger game on Friday night? Brutal stuff.
The match was live on 2 FM In all fairness