WOMEN'S RUGBY IRELAND V FRANCE: Ireland 7 France 5: HAVING VENTURED through the past couple of years with hope as a constant companion, a quiet sense of anticipation accompanied the Ireland women's side into this Six Nations opener at Ashbourne Rugby club's splendid complex.
The expectation wasn’t misplaced on a night of high drama as Ireland shocked the visiting French.
There was no disguising the fact that Steve Hennessy’s first competitive encounter in charge was classed in the difficult category, but Ireland really wanted to outfox France.
A spirited pre-Christmas friendly performance against an English selection augured well for Ireland, who were keen to vex the visitors.
And that is precisely what Ireland did in the opening quarter as the homesters thundered into the contest with admirable passion.
Still for all Ireland’s industry the French defence was proving to be resolute.
Niamh Briggs dragged two penalties narrowly wide during Ireland’s burst of pressure, but France were a threat on their rare forays into enemy territory.
Ireland fullback Joanne O’Sullivan dealt capably though, and the teams departed deadlocked at the break.
The game’s complexion altered 13 minutes after the interval as pacy French winger Cathy Langenfeld crossed for an opportunistic try which put Ireland under further duress.
But Ireland summoned a gritty response, and eventually restored parity when Fiona Coghlan bundled over for a 72nd minute try.
Then Briggs added the extras and suddenly Ireland were armed with an advantage that wasn’t relinquished.
IRELAND: J O’Sullivan (Richmond/Ulster); J Feighery (UL Bohemians/Munster), L Cantwell (UL Bohemians/Munster), H Brosnan (Highfield/Munster), A Davis (Blackrock/ Ulster); N Briggs (Clonmel/Munster), T Rosser (Blackrock/Leinster); F Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster), Y Nolan (Blackrock/Leinster), G Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster), C Mahon (UL Bohemians/Leinster), O Brennan (Blackrock/Leinster), L Austin (Blackrock/Leinster), S Ryan (Blackrock/ Leinster), J Neville (Shannon/Munster). Replacements: C Molloy (Cardiff Harlequins/Connacht) for Ryan (47 mins), G Davitt (Blackrock/ Leinster) for Feighery (60 mins), S Houston (Blackrock/Leinster) for Brosnan (62 mins), J Limbert (Cooke/ Ulster) for Nolan (77 mins).
FRANCE: E Moureax; C Mansard, S Loyer, C Le Duff, C Langenfeld; C Ladagnous, N Labbey; A Bailon, C Barthelemy, C Bouisset, C Canal, L Esteve, C Flaugere, M Hebel, M Gauffinet. Replacements: E Poublan for Barthelemy, S Provost for Bouisset, S Rabier for Esteve (all 45 mins).
Referee: D Jones (WRU).
