France vs Ireland LIVE: Women’s Six Nations result, final score and reaction as France secure bonus point win
Follow all the Women’s Six Nations latest updates and live action from France vs Ireland
Ireland are still searching for their first win of the TikTok Women’s Six Nations after being overwhelmed 40-5 by France in Toulouse.
Outside centre Eve Higgins crossed under the posts for the visitors in the 56th minute but it was a lone highlight on a difficult afternoon at the Stade Ernest-Wallon.
It was the second time Higgins had touched down but an earlier try was ruled out by the TMO.
Ireland were hampered by a high penalty count but having trailed 26-0 at half-time, leaking four tries in the process, they improved after the interval.
Livewire France scrum-half Laure Sansus ran in tries in each half to emerge as the most effective player for the hosts, who have now collected a maximum 10 match points after two rounds.
Wales’ new era
It all went rather well for Wales last weekend, securing their first win in this competition since 2019 with a brilliant fight-back against Ireland, with the introduction of professional contracts providing an immediate impact. It will take time for the full benefits to show through, but Dave Ward, who coaches a number the contracted Welsh players at Bristol Bears, said he had already seen a difference when I spoke to him just before the tournament started:
“I’m looking forward to seeing those full-time contracts pay off for Wales in the Six Nations,” Ward said. “I’ve seen the impact already with Keira Bevan, Alisha Butchers and the other four girls we are lucky enough to have.
“Just the fact that they can get those extra recovery days in is really crucial. Not doing all the rugby, but actually recovering and making sure they are ready to go. Also their skillset – having time on the ball has changed a lot, and actually their fitness and their physical levels.
“It’s a credit to Wales for what they have done with their contracts but also a credit to the girls for the way they have adapted quickly to becoming a full-time player.”
Team News - Scotland
Scotland would have been reasonably pleased with their effort against England last week, even if the score ended up a touch lopsided. There were good moments of cohesion and continuity in attack from Bryan Easson’s side, who are largely a relatively experienced group who have grown together. The Scotland head coach makes four changes for this fixture, with second row Sarah Bonar back available again after a commitment with the RAF ruled her out of the opener. The athletic Evie Gallagher is inserted into a back-row of real quality alongside captain Rachel Malcolm and ball-carrying bastion Jade Konkel. Lana Skeldon brings up her half-century at hooker.
In the backs, young centre Emma Orr starts on debut with Hannah Smith on the bench, and Chloe Rollie is out, too, with Shona Campbell at full-back after a good showing from the bench last week. There are two late changes to the replacements, with Smith and Anne Young in and Katie Dougan and Coreen Grant forced to withdraw late.
Look out for Caity Mattinson, the former England scrum-half born in Inverness who became eligible for the country of her birth after World Rugby’s changes to the qualification criteria in the autumn. She made a second international debut in the World Cup qualifier against Colombia.
Scotland: Shona Campbell; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Megan Gaffney, Helen Nelson, Jenny Maxwell; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Christine Belisle, Emma Wassell, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (capt), Evie Gallagher,Jade Konkel
Replacements: Jodie Rettie, Panashe Muzambe, Anne Young, Lyndsay O’Donnell, Louise McMillan, Caity Mattinson, Meryl Smith. Hannah Smith.
Team News – Wales
It is as you were for Wales, with Ioan Cunningham rewarding the matchday 23 that so impressed against Ireland with another opportunity to develop together. In Jasmine Joyce they have perhaps the most electric player in the world who is a developing defensive force, too, while Keira Bevan has been incredibly impressive at Bristol this season, pushing England’s first-choice scrum-half Leanne Infante and at times keeping the high-profile recruit out of the team.
Donna Rose’s two-try cameo from the bench does not command a starting place with Cunningham keen to replicate the impact his replacements brought a week ago. There are six forwards ready to come on, including 18-year-old lock Sisilia Tuipulotu, who is a player of such potential.
Wales: Kayleigh Powell; Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones, Kerin Lake, Jasmine Joyce; Elinor Snowsill, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Cerys Hale, Natalia John, Gwen Crabb, Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender, Siwan Lillicrap (capt).
Replacements: Kelsey Jones, Cara Hope, Donna Rose, Sioned Harries, Bethan Lewis, Ffion Lewis, Robyn Wilkins, Sisilia Tuipulotu.
On to Wales vs Scotland...
Kick-off in Cardiff is fast approaching, so let’s rather swiftly flip our attention to Wales vs Scotland - beginning with the two teams picked to do battle...
F/T: France 40-5 Ireland
Some positives for Ireland in that second-half performance, with the lineout stabilising and Greg McWilliams’ side showing some delicate touches and powerful strike-running in attack. The maul defence was improved, too, and a number of those brought on from the bench showed well.
Italy are in Cork next weekend.
F/T: France 40-5 Ireland
A sizeable win for France, then, who make it two bonus points win from two behind a dominant first-half performance. Laure Sansus was outstanding, as were Gabrielle Vernier and Maelle Filopon, while the French scrum showed why it is considered perhaps the mightiest in the Women’s Six Nations with a number of proper munchings.
Yellow Card! Emilie Boulard is sent to the sin bin! France 40-5 Ireland, 84 minutes
Just a yellow, with a late step and dip from Higgins counting in Boulard’s favour as a degree of mitigation, and the French full-back appears to know that is a fair decision as she goes off for what little remains of this clash.
In fact, it’ll be the briefest of sin binnings, as another Irish lineout error finally brings proceedings to a close.
France 40-5 Ireland, 84 minutes
Oh - this could well be a card. Emilie Boulard’s head has made contact with the head of Eve Higgins.
France 40-5 Ireland, 83 minutes
Some strong carrying from French forwards, and then Jambon goes herself, offloading to Celine Ferer...who is stripped! Ireland have it, and onwars we go beyond 83 minutes.
France go off their feet at the ruck and concede a penalty - but there is also a possibly dangerous tackle that requires a second look...
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