France champions after win over Ireland at Thomond Park

Ireland 16 France 34

France were tonight crowned European champions after completing their autumn international series with a 34-16 win over Ireland in the first rugby league match to be played at Limerick’s Thomond Park.

Ireland winger Joe Taylor, from North Dublin Eagles, delighted the 3,100 crowd with a hat-trick of tries but the French finished strongly to secure a victory that will provide them with some consolation for missing out on the 2011 Four Nations Series.

Ireland led 8-6 at half-time and sensed a first win against the French and a first victory for new coach Mark Aston when they increased their lead to 12-6 early in the second half.

They were still ahead with 15 minutes to go but hooker Kane Bentley completed his hat-trick for the visitors to finally end the brave Irish challenge.