France staved off a late challenge from Ireland to win the opening match of the Women's Six Nations tournament in Belfast on Saturday.
France staved off an Ireland fightback to win 27-15 in the opening match of the 2025 Women's Six Nations in Belfast on Saturday.
Both teams scored three tries apiece but while France's Morgane Bourgeois was perfect from the kicking tee, with three conversions and two penalties, Ireland missed all of their conversions.
Last season France were runners-up to England -- who begin their quest to win an unprecedented eighth successive title and fourth consecutive Grand Slam at home to Italy on Sunday, with the Red Roses bidding for more Six Nations glory ahead of this year's Women's Rugby World Cup on home soil.
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But Ireland, third in 2024, came into this tournament with high hopes following a stunning victory over world champions New Zealand in September.
Yet it was France who led 17-5 at half-time after tries from Gabrielle Vernier and Marine Menager.
But a 45th-minute red card for Vernier gave Ireland a way back into the game at Ravenhill.
Ireland made their advantage count as Neve Jones and Aoife Wafer -- with her second try of the match -- reduced the deficit to 17-15.
But that was as close as Ireland got, with Emilie Boulard's late try for France putting the game beyond the reach of the hosts.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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