IRELAND 15-56 FRANCE
Ireland would have fancied their chances at upsetting France in Donnybrook, but they were blown away well before it was even half-time. The full Ireland ratings make for tough reading.
A 45-0 win over Wales, last weekend, gave Ireland hope that they could match France, but their No.8 Emeline Gros fired off a warning before the game:
“For Wales, we only had four training sessions while to prepare for Ireland, we will have more than 10 sessions.”
It certainly looked as if they were primed for this one as they ran in five tries in the first 38 minutes. Ireland’s sole ray of light, in a rough first half, arrived when Cliodhna Moloney powered over for a try.
Cliodhna Moloney powers over!
The sole highlight of a rough first half for Ireland
Ireland trailing 38-8 at the break ???pic.twitter.com/HgVUgtfhIK
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) April 17, 2021
The contest itself was encapsulated when France lock Safi N’Diaye steamed through two Irish players to score by the posts.
Caroline Boujard got over for her second try, early in the second half, before Ireland had a spell of attacking pressure. Errors inside the France 22 let the visitors off the hook, and they soon made Ireland pay when Romane Menager blazed over after a flowing move.
Cyrielle Banet put France past the 50-point mark with another fine try before Ireland got themselves a consolation score through sub Emma Hooban.
Here’s how we rated Adam Grigg’s Ireland side:
Eimear Considine – 5
Delivered some of Ireland’s brightest attacking moments – 78 metres gained off nine carries and four clean breaks. Also guilty of some rash errors. Got the ball ripped on one carry and it led to a Cyrielle Banet try. Made two important tackles to shut down dangerous French attacks, in the last quarter.
Lauren Delany – 5
Not an easy afternoon as she did not see much quality ball in attack.
Eve Higgins – 5
Game passed her by. Made little ground on carries and she stuck one of the two tackles she attempted.
Sene Naoupu – 6
Stood up and was counted today, even in a losing cause.
Beibhinn Parsons – 7
Lost the ball on one carry, just outside her 22, and it resulted in a lightning fast France try. Her quick feet and leg drive saw her gain ground on a lot of her carries. Ireland’s best player.
Hannah Tyrrell – 5
Still getting her bearings in the 10 jersey and far from easy behind a scrambling pack. Like so many of her teammates, bright spots in attack but lots of defensive questions.
Kathryn Dane – 5
Passing around the pitch was slick but let her down on a couple of occasions inside the French 22. Stepped by Caroline Boujard for her second try.
Lindsay Peat – 5
A game competitor but a tough day at the coal-face. France went after her side at the scrum.
Cliodhna Moloney – 5
Overthrew her first lineout but that set-piece picked up from that point. Powered over for a first half try. Pinged for tackling her French counterpart in the air. Then penalised again for throwing a ball away in frustration.
Linda Djougang – 6
Won her side a first half penalty and frustrated France at the breakdown. Scrum was hard going but she competed well in the loose.
Aoife McDermott – 4
Yellow carded in the first half. A game to forget, as she made three metres on her sole successful carry, knocked on once and stuck just one tackle.
Nichola Fryday – 4
Not the only player outgunned, but struggled to make any impact out there. Missed four tackles.
Dorothy Wall – 6
France recognised how dangerous a player she is and singled her out for some fearsome hits. Kept going all afternoon and
Claire Molloy – 7
Normally a difference-maker for her side, today was a case of trying to stem the blue tide. Battled gamely but part of an overpowered and out-fought pack. Won one breakdown turnover.
Ciara Griffin – 5
Could hear the captain’s frustration out there. Her side were ceding ground, making errors or conceding for long stretches. Made a few hard carries and landed most of her attempted tackles.
REPLACEMENTS
Brittany Hogan (for McDermott ’48) – 5
Amee-Leigh Murphy (for Delany ’48) – 5
Was tipping along nicely, on senior debut, until a high tackle saw her yellow-carded.
Emily Lane (for Dane ’53) – 5
Stacey Flood (for Tyrrell ’53) – 7
Showing nice touches that hint she has a Test future.
Emma Hoban (for Moloney ’58) – 5
Knock-on just metres from the French line. Scored a late try off a rolling maul.
Katie O’Dwyer (for Peat ’58) – 5
Laura Feely (for Djougang ’58) – 6
