National Representations

Not the best of weekend’s for Irish sides as all were defeated in their respective French ties.

Ireland Women

Kevin West’s side lie third in the Women’s RBS 6 Nations table after their defeat to France at the weekend.

After opening their campaign with a comfortable 39-0 win over the Italians, the French side proved too strong for the Irish, winning 19-9 on Friday night in Stade des Allees.

Munster’s Niamh Briggs added the points for Ireland kicking three penalties.

Next up for the Irish is the English women’s side, currently top of the table with two wins out of two and favourites to win the Championship, but no doubt the Irish will be looking for an upset in Esher RFC, London on Sunday Feb. 28th, ko 3pm.

Ireland Women: Niamh Briggs, Amy Davis, Grace Davitt, Shannon Houston, Alison Miller, Joanne O’Sullivan, Tania Rosser, Fiona Coghlan (capt), Gillian Bourke, Emer McManamly, Caroline Mahon, Marie Louise Reilly, Orla Brennan, Sinead Ryan, Joy Neville. Replacements used: Kate O’Loughlin for Mahon, Lauren Day for McManamly, Claire Molloy for Ryan (all 67 mins), Chris Fanning for Bourke (70), Helen Brosnan for Davitt (71). Not used: Louise Beamish, Nora Stapleton.

Ireland U20s

The Irish U20s were unable to hold onto their halftime 12-8 lead when France kicked ahead in the closing half to secure a narrow five point win, 20-15.

Ireland’s James McKinney added four penalties with replacement Brian Kingston adding the final three points.

The side travel to Kingsholm, the home of Gloucester Rugby, for their next round against England U20s on Friday Feb. 26th, ko 7.45pm. England have defeated Wales and Italy at this stage putting them in pole position for the Irish encounter.

Ireland U20s: Andrew Conway; Darren Hudson, Brendan Macken, Nevin Spence, Simon Zebo, James McKinney, John Cooney, Bryan Cagney, Niall Annett, Jack O’Connell, David O’Callaghan, Ben Marshall, Rhys Ruddock (capt), Dominic Ryan, Patrick Butler. Replacements: David Doyle, Stewart Maguire, Brian Hayes, Robin O’Sullivan, Michael Heaney, Brian Kingston, Eoin Griffin.

Irish Colleges

The Irish Colleges were well beated by their French counterparts, going down 60 points to 11 on Friday night, with the Irish try coming from Ben Reilly and two penalties from James Prior.

Irish Colleges: P.Harte (Athlone IT/Bucaneers),J.Cleary (GMIT/Galwegians), L.Kavanagh (DCU/Lansdowne), J.Clogan (WIT/Shannon), D.Mongan (DCU/Old Belvedere), J.Power (DIT/Blackrock College), S.Treacy (DCU/Clontarf), J.Naughton (GMIT /Galwegians), W.Falvey (CIT/UCC), S.Preston (DIT/St Marys College), M.Kearney(IT Carlow/Clontarf), B.Reilly (DCU/Clontarf), J.Dever (Garda College/Terenure College),R.Hackney (UU Jordanstown/Ballymena), A.Dunlop (IT Tallaght/Blackrock College)Capt. Replacements: A.Ferguson (Belfast Metropolitan College/Ballymena), S.Morton (UU Jordanstown/Portadown), P.DeBurca (Athlone IT/Buccaneers), C.Deans (IT Tallagh/Terenure College), H.Nolan (Dcu/Clontarf), P.DeBarra(IT Carlow/DLSP), M.Sexton (IT Tallaght/St.Marys College)