Women's Six Nations Round 1 review by Ciarán Duffy

France 24 – 0 Ireland

Ireland were well beaten by France despite improving in the 2nd half.  Freance took the lead early on with a try from winger Cyrielle Barnet.  France got their 2nd off an Irish attack, Ireland had won a penalty off a lost lineout and opted to go for the corner when it was kickable.  France turned over the ball and had a lineout on their own 5m line.  Ireland won the lineout but were penalized for holding on on the ground.  From the Jade Le Pesq finished off a quick counter-attacking move, fullback Jessy Trempuliere converted.  Tremouliere got a try of her own 8 minutes later.  France led 17 – 0 at halftime.  

Caroline Boujard caused Ireland a lot of problems, but was surprisingly taken off early in the second half.  Ireland lost Ciara Cooney, who was stretchered off after going down hard.  Ireland improved in the 2nd half, but were still left having to defend for most of the game.  Kim Flood did well to win a foot race when Pauline Bourdon could have been in.  Then Megan Williams made a fantastic tackle when it looked like Banet was in again.  Ireland had some good territory late on, but it was France who would score next, Le Pesq getting in again after a great pass from Forlani.  A disappointing opening to Irelands Six Nations campaign.  

Lineups:

France: Jessy Trémoulière (Stade Rennais Rugby); Caroline Boujard (Montpellier RC), Jade Le Pesq (Stade Rennais Rugby), Camille Boudaud (Stade Toulousain), Cyrielle Banet (Montpellier RC); Pauline Bourdon (AS Bayonnaise), Yanna Rivoalen (Lille Métropole RC Villeneuvois); Lisa Arricastre (Lons Rugby Féminin Béarn Pyrénées), Agathe Sochat (Montpellier RC), Julie Duval (L'Ovalie Caennaise), Celine Ferer (AS Bayonnaise), Safi N'Diaye (Montpellier RC), Marjorie Mayans (Blagnac Rugby Féminin), Gaelle Hermet (Stade Toulousain) (capt), Romane Ménager (Lille Métropole RC Villeneuvois).

Replacements: Gaelle Mignot (Richmond RFC), Dhia Traore (Stade Toulousain), Patricia Carricaburu (Lons Rugby Féminin Béarn Pyrénées), Audrey Forlani (Blagnac Rugby Féminin), Coumba Diallo (AC Bobigny 93), Emma Coudert (ASM Romagnat Rugby Féminin), Gabrielle Vernier (Lille Métropole RC Villeneuvois), Marine Ménager (Lille Métropole RC Villeneuvois).

Ireland: Kim Flood (Railway Union/Leinster); Megan Williams (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Claire McLaughlin (Cooke/Ulster), Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Alison Miller (Old Belvedere/Connacht); Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster), Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union/Leinster); Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/Leinster), Cliodhna Moloney (Railway Union/Leinster), Fiona Reidy (UL Bohemians/Munster), Ciara Cooney (Railway Union/Leinster), Orla Fitzsimons (St. Mary's/Leinster), Anna Caplice (UL Bohemians/ Munster), Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht), Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemians/Munster) (capt).

Replacements: Leah Lyons (Highfield/Munster), Laura Feely (Galwegians/Connacht), Ciara O'Connor (Galwegians/Connacht), Nichola Fryday (Tullamore/Connacht), Paula Fitzpatrick (St Mary's/Leinster), Mary Healy (Galwegians/Connacht), Nikki Caughey (Railway Union/Ulster), Mairead Coyne (Galwegians/Connacht).

You can watch highlights here.

Wales 18 – 17 Scotland

Wales survived a Scottish comeback to win their opening Six Nations game.  Winger Jessica Kavanagh-Williams got the games first try 11 minutes in.  The first half belonged to Wales, Jodie Evans kicked a penalty and Hannah Bluck got a try on her debut with the clock in red.  Chloe Rollie got Scotland back in it in the 2nd half with a try.  Kerin Lake got over to ensure Wales stayed well in front.  Scotland got back into it with another try from Rollie, and then one from Jade Konkel, which was converted by Lana Skeldon.  Wales held on for the final 10 minutes to secure the victory.  

You can read more here.

Italy 7 – 42 England

It was level 7 – 7 at halftime and it looked like a shock might be on the cards.  Sarah Bern had put England in front, but Valentina Ruzza barged over to level things up.  Like the mens team, England pushed on in the 2nd half, scoring 5 more tries including a hatricj from captain Sarah Hunter.  Katy Daley-McLean kicked a penalty to put England ahead, before Hunter scored from a lineout.  Poppy Cleall and Abigail Dow added further tries.  Hunter got her 2nd and 3rd either side of Ellie Kildunnes touch down.  

You can read more and watch highlights here.

Table

		Pts	PD +/-	TF
1	England	5	+35	7
2	France	5	+24	4
3	Wales	4	1	3
4	Scotland	1	-1	3
5	Ireland	0	-24	0
6	Italy	0	-35	1

Ciarán Duffy (@TheVoiceDepth) is a Leinster supporter and self-proclaimed ‘big cheese’ of Post To Post (@PostToPostSport).   He’ll write about anything rugby under the condition he gets to take it too seriously.

*****

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