Battling Ireland fall to defeat in Six Nations opener against France

Ireland opened their Women's Guinness Six Nations campaign with a 38-17 defeat to France, but they produced a performance that was a marked improvement on last season's loss.

It was new head coach Scott Bemand’s first taste of championship action and while Ireland were ultimately outclassed by a superior opposition, there were moments of real promise ahead of next Sunday’s home clash with Italy.

Lineout woes re-emerged, however, and a couple of defensive lapses led to first-half French tries as Ireland struggled to deal with the superb scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus, who scored the first and set up the second try.

Three lineout-maul tries followed in the second half for the hosts to put the result beyond doubt, but Aoife Wafer and Aoife Dalton scored late tries to give Ireland some consolation.

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France: Emilie Boulard; Kelly Arbey, Nassira Konde, Gabrielle Vernier, Marine Menager; Lina Queyroi, Pauline Bourdon Sansus; Annaelle Deshaye, Agathe Sochat, Assia Khalfaoui; Manae Feleu (capt), Madoussou Fall; Charlotte Escudero, Gaelle Hermet, Romane Menager.

Replacements: Elisa Riffonneau, Ambre Mwayembe, Clara Joyeux, Kiara Zago, Emeline Gros, Alexandra Chambon, Lina Tuy, Morgane Bourgeois.

Ireland: Lauren Delany; Katie Corrigan, Eve Higgins, Aoife Dalton, Béibhinn Parsons; Nicole Fowley, Aoibheann Reilly; Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Christy Haney; Dorothy Wall, Hannah O'Connor; Aoife Wafer, Edel McMahon (capt), Brittany Hogan.

Replacements: Sarah Delaney, Niamh O'Dowd, Sadhbh McGrath, Fiona Tuite, Grace Moore, Molly Scuffil-McCabe, Dannah O'Brien, Méabh Deely.

Referee: Kat Roche (USAR)