Bad Night For Women’s Side

Philip Doyle’s Irish Women conceded five tries without reply as they were overpowered in a 32-0 defeat by France Women in Montauban, Toulouse on Friday night.

…Winger Suzanne Fleming on her way to scoring a try in last weekend’s 25-10 win for the Ireland Women’s side over Spain at Donnybrook…

Ireland’s Women’s side conceded five tries without reply as they were overpowered in a 32-0 defeat by France Women in Montauban, Toulouse on Friday night.

WOMEN’S 6 NATIONS: Friday, February 10

FRANCE WOMEN 32 IRELAND WOMEN 0, Montauban, Toulouse

From the heights of Donnybrook to the lows of Toulouse – Philip Doyle’s charges were routed by the reigning Women’s 6 Nations champions on Friday.

It was a complete reversal for the ‘Girls in Green’, who ran in five tries to account for Spain last Saturday.

Four of the classy French backs got in on the scoring act in Toulouse – centres Lucie Elodie and Sandrine Agricole, winger Marion Talayrach and full-back Celine Allaimnat.

Fly half Estelle Sartini kicked two conversions and a penalty, while flanker Aline Sagols touched down in the second half. Ireland were missing the attacking guile of scrum half Tania Rosser, who sat out the trip south due to personal reasons.

Ireland team manager Mark Andrews said: “It was a really disappointing performance. We just made too many errors and never got going.

“It was a big comedown from last weekend. We’ve a few injuries to look after, but we’ll rally ourselves in time for the Welsh back at Donnybrook on February 25.”

FRANCE: Celine Allaimnat; Catherine Devillers, Lucie Elodie, Sandrine Agricole, Marion Talayrach; Estelle Sartini, Julie Pujol; Rosa Marce, Anne Sophie Canizares, Daniele Irazu, Clotilde Flaugere, Maylis Bonnin, Aline Sagols, Delphine Plantet, Sandrine Jaureguiberry.

Replacements: Elodie Vivat, Adeline Mauran, Marie-Charlotte Hebel, Corinne Devroute, Jennifer Troncy, Christine Le Duff, Fanny Horta.

IRELAND: Joanne O’Sullivan; Nuala Ni Chadhain, Lynne Cantwell, Patrique Kelly, Suzanne Fleming; Sarah Jane Belton (capt), Louise Beamish; Fiona Coughlan, Jean Lonergan, Marie Barrett, Caroline Mahon, Germaine Healy, Orla Brennan, Rachel Boyd, Joy Neville.

Replacements: Yvonne Nolan, Laura Guest, Gillian McAlister, Sinead Ryan, Christine Robb, Grace Davitt, Amanda Greensmith.

Referee: Ian Clarke (Scotland)

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