Tullamore native Megan Burns was in try-scoring for the Ireland Women against France ©INPHO/Martin Seras Lima
The Ireland Women ran hosts France close in the Pool C decider, building towards this evening’s Cup quarter-final showdown with Canada at the HSBC France Sevens in Toulouse.
Watch the HSBC France Sevens live here via World Rugby
Megan Burns’ early try was eventually eclipsed by scores from Joanna Grisez and Jade Ulutule as les Bleues took a 12-5 verdict, which puts Ireland on a collision course with Canada (kick-off 6.37pm Irish time).
It will be Ireland’s fourth successive Cup quarter-final appearance and they have a very good record against Canada this season, with their three wins-out-of-four including a 36-12 victory at this stage in Seville.
Head coach Aiden McNulty brought in Burns and recent new cap Vicky Elmes Kinlan for the France match at a sunny Stade Ernest Wallon, with Eve Higgins unfortunately sidelined and Erin King moving to the bench.
Ireland made the early running, Brittany Hogan’s offload out of a tackle almost creating a try before Burns brilliantly jinked around Carla Niesen in the second minute to score to the left of the posts.
The home crowd, including the traditional brass band, created a superb atmosphere and the Irish fans, made up of family members, friends and team-mates (including the injured Beibhinn Parsons), also brought plenty of colour and noise.
The exchanges were tight and tense, France struggling to get out of their own half with Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe showing impressive strength to retrieve a loose ball and Stacey Flood breaking through the defence.
It remained 5-0 up to half-time and with France kicking out on the full, Ireland had another bright spell at the start of the second half with Flood finding some space through the middle and linking with the newly-introduced King.
However, the breakthrough came for France when they created an opening for Joanna Grisez and she had the legs to score from far out. Jade Ulutule’s conversion edged them ahead at 7-5.
With two minutes remaining, Ulutule unlocked the Irish defence with a quick tap in midfield and despite Lucy Mulhall’s tackle before the line, the grounding was good.
That proved to be the match-winning score, leaving Ireland to advance as Pool C runners-up. Canada also finished second in their pool thanks to wins over Spain (26-12) and Scotland (14-7). They lost 17-0 to New Zealand this morning.
Claire Boles (Railway Union RFC)
Megan Burns (Blackrock College RFC)
Vicky Elmes Kinlan (Wicklow RFC)
Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC)
Katie Heffernan (Railway Union RFC)
Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC)
Brittany Hogan (Ballynahinch RFC/Old Belvedere RFC)
Erin King (Old Belvedere RFC)
Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC)
Kate Farrell McCabe (Suttonians RFC)
Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC)
Lucy Mulhall (Wicklow RFC) (capt)
Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Railway Union RFC)
Friday, May 20 –
POOL C:
IRELAND 31 ENGLAND 12, Stade Ernest Wallon
Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Lucy Mulhall 3, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Eve Higgins; Cons: Lucy Mulhall 3
England: Tries: Ellie Boatman, Emma Uren; Con: Isla Norman-Bell
HT: Ireland 26 England 12
Team: Stacey Flood, Eve Higgins, Erin King, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Lucy Mulhall (capt), Emily Lane, Megan Burns.
Subs used: Katie Heffernan, Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Anna McGann, Brittany Hogan, Kate Farrell McCabe.
IRELAND 17 BRAZIL 14, Stade Ernest Wallon
Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Eve Higgins, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe 2; Con: Lucy Mulhall
Brazil: Tries: Bianca Silva, Gabriela Lima; Cons: Raquel Kochhann 2
HT: Ireland 7 Brazil 7
Team: Stacey Flood, Brittany Hogan, Erin King, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Lucy Mulhall (capt), Eve Higgins, Emily Lane.
Subs used: Kate Farrell McCabe, Anna McGann, Megan Burns, Katie Heffernan. Not used: Claire Boles.
Day 1 Round-Up: Murphy Crowe’s Late Brace Seals Quarter-Final Spot For Ireland Women
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – France Sevens Fixtures/Results
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – France Sevens Pool Tables
Saturday, May 21 –
POOL C:
IRELAND 5 FRANCE 12, Stade Ernest Wallon
Scorers: Ireland: Try: Megan Burns
France: Tries: Joanna Grisez, Jade Ulutule; Con: Jade Ulutule
HT: Ireland 5 France 0
Team: Stacey Flood, Brittany Hogan, Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Lucy Mulhall (capt), Emily Lane, Megan Burns.
Subs used: Erin King, Claire Boles, Kate Farrell McCabe, Katie Heffernan, Anna McGann.
CUP QUARTER-FINAL:
CANADA v IRELAND, Stade Ernest Wallon, 7.37pm local time/6.37pm Irish time
Sunday, May 22 –
Play-Offs
All matches live on the World Rugby stream here.
This website uses cookies.
Read More