Nichola Fryday: France game will show Ireland's true progress 

Second row excited to face Les Bleus after impressive Irish win over Wales  

Ireland’s Nichola Fryday takes on Robyn Wilkins of Wales during the Six Nations clash last weekend. Picture: Inpho/Robbie Stephenson

Despite comfortably putting Wales to the sword last weekend, second row Nichola Fryday is readily aware that this Saturday’s clash with France at Energia Park will be the real litmus test for the Ireland women’s team.

Adam Griggs’ side kick-started their Pool B campaign in a revamped Six Nations with an emphatic 45-0 bonus triumph over the Welsh in Cardiff. Substantial progress has been made since Ireland finished second-from-bottom in the 2019 Championship, but France will be a massive step-up in quality at the Dublin venue.