Ireland's bid for revenge against France fell flat as they squandered multiple scoring opportunities in a tense Six Nations encounter at Stade Marcel-Michelin. Despite dominating early proceedings, the visitors failed to convert three disallowed first-half tries and a missed penalty, allowing France to seize control in the final 25 minutes and secure their 10th consecutive win over Ireland.
The build-up to the match was charged with emotion, with Ireland captain Erin King admitting the World Cup quarter-final exit added 'venom' to the fixture. Full-back Stacey Flood had warned France to be 'worried' ahead of the game. The memory of Axelle Berthoumieu's biting incident on Aoife Wafer, which earned the French back-row a nine-game ban, further fueled Irish motivation.
However, Ireland's inability to capitalize on their chances proved costly. Head coach Scott Bemand acknowledged the harsh lesson: 'The tough lesson is that when you get your chances you have to take your points. I'm incredibly proud of the effort. We know where we are heading and we just want to keep on getting better.'
The sold-out crowd of over 17,000 created a deafening atmosphere, particularly when wing Anaïs Grando produced a superb covering tackle to hold up Fiona Tuite over the line. Grando has been outstanding this Six Nations with four tries in three games, and her defensive prowess was on full display.
France's defensive performance was exceptional, making 240 tackles with a 94% success rate. This defensive solidity could be key in their bid to end England's dominance. The French have not won the Six Nations in eight years but appear best placed to challenge the Red Roses, having been the last team to beat them in the tournament back in 2018.
Meanwhile, England's title defence continues to face injury challenges. Sadia Kabeya sustained a shoulder and pectoral muscle injury against Wales, forcing head coach John Mitchell to rely on the team's impressive depth. Marlie Packer, the two-time World Cup winner and former captain, played the full 80 minutes for the first time since the World Cup and delivered a player-of-the-match performance.
'Actually it adds a bit of nerves because the crowds are getting bigger, the expectation is getting more and more,' said Packer. 'When you have played 114 Test matches, your first 10, 15 you are nervous, the ones in between you really enjoy and now the latter end of my Tests I do get a bit more nervous because it means so much.'
England face Italy on 9 May after the fallow week, while France play Scotland before the likely grand slam decider in Le Crunch. France's ferocious defence, which made 240 tackles with only 14 missed against Ireland, could be the key to dethroning England. If they can maintain that intensity, the silverware could be within reach.
