Ireland Women Denied By France

The Ireland Women were edged out 10-5 by France in Friday’s night Ashbourne RFC encounter which was delayed by a series of floodlight failures.

A problem with the power generator at Milltown House was eventually resolved and following a scoreless first half, Marie Louise Reilly's lineout take set up a five pointer for Ailis Egan – her first try in this year's Six Nations. Captain Niamh Briggs' conversion attempt was wide of the mark,

French winger Caroline Boujard responded with an intercept effort which Jessy Tremoulière converted and with Paula Fitzpatrick sent to the sin-bin, Tremoulière's subsequent penalty was the match-winning score.

TIME LINE: 22 minutes – France penalty: missed by Jessy Tremoulière – 0-0; 26 mins – France penalty: missed by Jessy Tremoulière – 0-0; Half-time – Ireland 0 France 0; 46 mins – France yellow card: Marine de Nadai; 47 mins – Ireland try: Ailis Egan – 5-0; conversion: missed by Niamh Briggs – 5-0; 64 mins – France try: Caroline Boujard – 5-5; conversion: Jessy Tremoulière – 5-7; 72 mins – Ireland yellow card: Paula Fitzpatrick; 73 mins – France penalty: Jessy Tremoulière – 5-10; Full-time – Ireland 5 France 10

Ireland Women: Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster) (capt); 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).

Referee: Claire Hodnett (England)