Fearsome French test for Ireland women

AFTER an emphatic 53-3 win over Scotland, the French women’s rugby team come to Ashbourne, Co. Meath tonight (7.30 pm) looking for a second RBS Six Nations scalp.

Nevertheless, Ireland won’t be in the least bit intimidated after starting their campaign with a worthy away victory over Italy, the team everyone seems to find hard to beat these days.

Italy scored first in Rovigo last week to put it up to the Irish and the response was positive. Ireland led 8-5, with a try and penalty, at the interval, and they added a penalty and three tries to finish decent 26-5 winners.

They’ve been forewarned about France following their huge win over the Scots, but Ireland themselves, on neutral ground, can point to a 32-8 win over Scotland in last year’s World Cup. With French rugby teams notorious for not turning up, Irish coach Philip Doyle will hope that will be the case again.

IRELAND WOMEN: N Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster), N Kavanagh (UL Bohemians/Munster), L Cantwell (Richmond/Exile), G Rea (Highfield/Munster), M Kelly (UL Bohemians/Munster), N Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), A Davis (Blackrock/Leinster), F Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster, captain) G Bourke (Bristol/Munster), L Day (Waterloo/Ulster), M L Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster), L Guest (Highfield/Munster), C Staunton (Galwegians/Connacht), C Molloy (Bristol/Connacht), J Neville (UL Bohemians/Munster).

Replacements: S Kennedy (City of Derry/Ulster), E McManamly (Blackrock/Leinster), D O’Brien (Blackrock/Leinster), H O’Brien (Highfield/Munster), L Muldoon (UWIC/Exile), G Nolan (St. Mary’s/Leinster), J Shiels (Richmond/Leinster)