Heroics not enough as French simply a class apart

The temptation is to say ‘game over’ for Ireland after the host nation came out a distant second-best in this win-or-bust Pool C decider against a slick French side in the Women’s Rugby World Cup at Belfield last night.

The reality is even worse: two more games up in Belfast to decide their final step on the ladder. First up, next Tuesday, is a second meeting with Australia. This is strictly off Broadway. New Zealand, England, France and the USA will decide the important stuff in the semi-finals.

Warm-up acts at their own gig: not what Ireland had in my mind.