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.
France 33-0 Ireland, 55 minutes
This is much better from Ireland, though. They keep the ball alive superbly and Linda Djougang bashes away a tackler to break through the defensive line.
Flung wide, and onwards Ireland go.
France 33-0 Ireland, 54 minutes
France then turn the ball over and Ireland stab a kick in behind, but Laure Sansus plays firefighter and snuffs out the flames with a sliding gather of the ball, allowing the home side to clear.
France 33-0 Ireland, 52 minutes
France kick long as we are shown shot of Pauline Bourdon, watching on in the stands and nursing that injured hand.
Adventurous stuff from Ireland. Brittany Hogan claims a low pass superbly and then audaciously drops one off over the top of a French tackler to a teammate. It all goes awry in midfield, but some of Ireland’s touches have been clever.
France 33-0 Ireland, 51 minutes
Ireland begin to play with promise down the right but are guilty of forcing a pass, which flies into touch.
TRY! FRANCE 33-0 Ireland (Laure Sansus try, 49 minutes)
Laure Sansus does it herself this time! A scrum penalty is coming as the nine fishes the ball out from the feet of Romane Menager, throwing an extravagant dummy and then darting for the line. She collides with a teammate but there’s no material impact on the Irish defence, who had all bought Sansus’ feint.
Caroline Drouin adds the extra two and France get the second half scoring underway.
France 26-0 Ireland, 47 minutes
The referee gets in the way! It’s initally even at scrum time before France begin to turn the screw, and Aimee Barrett-Theron appears to have her whistle to her lips just as Laure Sansus whips her pass right into the South African referee. A raised hand of apology from Barrett-Theron, and another France scrum.
France 26-0 Ireland, 46 minutes
Over-thrown and Ireland just about grab it! A leaping Caroline Drouin appeared set to snare it but the ball burst from the fly-half’s grip, and eventually ended up in Irish hands.
But a knock-on means a France scrum five metres out. Surely Ireland can’t cling on again?
France 26-0 Ireland, 44 minutes
Not quite as intended but some nifty handling from France through a pod of forwards nearly frees Laure Sansus on the loop, but Ireland just about keep a grip on the scrum-half. Madoussou Fall is then stood up in a tackle.
Sansus dabs a little kick through...well covered by Lucy Mulhall, who then appears to take a stray arm to the face. No high tackle ruled, and France are awarded a penalty soon afterwards. Unfortunate, maybe, for Ireland. Caroline Drouin this time finds the corner.
France 26-0 Ireland, 43 minutes
Just a penalty. Initial contact on the shoulder and then riding up. Caroline Drouin pokes it onwards to just outside the Ireland 22.
The lineout throw appears to drift off-line but the referee is content for play to continue, and France are immediately over the gain line. Laure Sansus quickly switches play back to the blindside and Cyrielle Banet, who powers through a challenge and gets back to her feet to seek yet more metres after she isn’t held. France begin to build.
France 26-0 Ireland, 42 minutes
France move the ball nicely but run out of room on the right as Cyrielle Banet is forced out - but has she been taken high? Parsons might have just rode up over the shoulder. TMO Ian Tempest calls down to Aimee Barrett-Theron to check.
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