After a slow start to the Six Nations Tournament in Italy (22-12), the Women's France XV, reduced to 14 from the 20th minute, took place Saturday, April 1 in Cork (53-3), passing no less than nine tries to a young Ireland team in reconstruction.

Thanks to this improved victory on the second day, Audrey Forlani's teammates are provisionally positioned in first place in the standings, before the reception of Italy on Sunday by England, defending champions.

After a week off, the French, runners-up in 2022, will meet in Vannes on April 16 against Scotland.

Bouncing back after the game in Italy

All of mastery, serenity and opportunism, the Blues were able to bounce back after a first day of the competition somewhat worrying against the Transalpines in Parma, where the Blues had shown inaccuracy and feverishness.

In Cork, and despite the red card for dangerous tackle awarded early in the match to the pillar Annaëlle Deshaye by the Scottish referee Hollie Davidson, who had officiated during the final of the World Cup between New Zealand and England in Auckland, the Blues clearly impressed.

😍🔥 A very nice afternoon in Cork! #IRLFRA #XVdeFrance #NeFaisonsXV #TikTokW6N pic.twitter.com/dLcdJ5lEip

— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) April 1, 2023

On a synthetic turf, conducive to the attacking game, and despite an unfavorable swirling wind, the Pauline Bourdon band, designated "woman of the match", secured its victory improved in the first period, after a convincing start of the Irish, dressed in navy blue shorts to "respond to the anxiety of the players during menstruation", as decided by their Federation before the competition.

Seven players participated in the blue fireworks, including Bourdon and Vernier who each offered themselves a double.

The XV of the Clover, who had not qualified for the World Cup in the autumn, had made four changes for this match, trusting many young players, little capped.

Dominated physically and technically, Nicola Fryday's teammates, largely beaten (31-5) in Wales last weekend, could not do anything, even in numerical superiority during almost the entire match.

They even finished the match at 14 too, after a yellow card for hair draw awarded to their full-back Meabh Deely.

With AFP

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