France claimed their second win of the Women’s Six Nations, defeating Ireland 53-3 at Musgrave Park despite playing an hour of the match with 14 players.
France prop Annaelle Deshaye was sent off for a high tackle in the 20th minute, but that did not prevent Les Bleues from securing a half-century victory.
Les Bleues scrum-half Pauline Bourdon claimed a first-half brace in the win, with Audrey Forlani, Caroline Boujard and Gabrielle Vernier also crossing the whitewash in the opening 40 minutes.
Things went from bad to worse for Ireland in the second half, with Agathe Sochat and Cyrielle Banet grabbing further scores before Vernier went over for her second. Charlotte Escudero grabbed her side’s eighth try.
Morgane Bourgeois (2), Pauline Bourdon (1), and Jessy Tremouliere (2) all added conversions, with Dannah O’Brien scoring Ireland’s only points in the 21st minute.
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The Irish needed a big performance following their opening weekend loss against Wales, but were torn apart by France – who easily made it two wins from two and ran in nine tries despite having Deshaye sent off early on.
Forlani broke through a gap to find the opening try nine minutes in, and they quickly earned their second five minutes later when Carla Arbez’s kick bounced fortunately for Boujard, allowing her to charge forward and touch down.
Deshaye was shown a red card for a high tackle in the 20th minute, and Ireland put their first points on the board from the resulting penalty but, despite being a player down France then added their third try after a good hand-off from Forlani saw Bourdon burst through to ground between the posts.
Bourdon quickly scored a second after making a great block from O’Brien’s attempted kick to secure the bonus point, and the scrum-half very nearly earned her hat-trick, but unselfishly passed for Vernier to cross.
🔥 Caroline Boujard double la mise dans un début de match parfait pour @FranceRugby 🇫🇷
➡️ Suivez le match en direct sur @francetvsport#TikTokW6N #OurCharge #IREFRA pic.twitter.com/Fz3ycBmjrR
— TikTok Women's Six Nations (@Womens6Nations) April 1, 2023
Although Ireland had a brighter start to the second half, France used the driving maul effectively for Sochat to extend their lead and a bounced pass saw Banet ground in the right corner.
France showed no sign of easing up in the final 10 minutes as Vernier earned her second of the game before Escudero finished off a dominant afternoon for the visitors with their ninth try.
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