Match report
The report from a blustery and wet Exeter has landed.
It was a cracking game. One that saw Ireland score 13 points in the first half before France scored 18 in the second.
Hope you enjoyed it.
See ya!
We’ve got three of our semifinalists.
Who will join them? England or Scotland?
Find out with Niall McVeigh:
Now for some thoughts from Ireland’s coach Scott Bemand:
First off, well done France. That was a hard Test match to play, the conditions, the occasion. We’ll look back on game changing moments and will get better at them as we grow.
Eve Higgins is speaking to the BBC.
She still looks unsure how to process all of that:
Look, we’re just sad. We came very close to reaching the semi-final. We had moments where we know we could have possibly scored. Full credit to the girls. Everyone put in an absolute shift.
We knew the conditions would be tough. At the same time both teams played in the conditions. We felt we had chances to win the game in the second half. Unfortunately we just fell short.
The squad effort as a whole, it’s not just the 23 who played.
We’re just proud.
She signs off with a ‘thank you’ as she holds back tears.
Also worth noting that France lifted a jumper from that final line-out.
Ordinarily teams defending their line with the last throw of the match would keep every player on the floor to challenge the maul. But they raised a player and forced the mistake.
Very brave.
The former Irish centre, Sene Naoupu, says "there’s plenty to be proud of”.
Brian Moore, the former England hooker, adds, “I don’t think Ireland could have given anymore today.”
Unfortunately for them it wasn’t good enough.
Our player of the match is Charlotte Escudero, France’s top carrier across the match.
The first half was really tough with the wind. But the second half was better. We won it and we’re happy.
We have a lot of work to do with the semi-finals coming up because the first half wasn’t great.
She was speaking through a translator, so naturally didn’t have too much to say.
There are Irish players sobbing.
They played so well. They had so many chances to win this. A reminder that they failed to qualify for the last World Cup. This is their first quarterfinal since 2014.
But it wasn’t to be. France’s defence was resolute and when they had their moments to score – especially that blockbuster, coast to coast try to win it – they took them.
Full-time: France 18-13 Ireland
France survive! Ireland spilled the ball at the line-out. It ended with a French knock-on but that’ll be the game as Ireland couldn’t find their jumper! Heartache for those in emerald.
80+3 min: Ireland win the line-out and get a great rumble forward from the maul. Parsons gets it on the right tram and has space for a one-on-one. But she’s tackled. They have a penalty advantage. Will they set another line-out? Yes they will. Just five out this time. What drama!
80 min: France win a penalty on the floor! Ireland nailed for not releasing! Menager with her third steal.
But what’s this? The penalty is reversed as there was a high tackle just before that. O’Brien kicks as close to the corner as she can. The angle wasn’t helpful but she finds touch. Ireland with the line-out about 20 metres out.
Yellow card! France (Bigot, 79)
A deliberate knock-on gives Ireland a sniff! O’Brien hoofs it long. Ireland will have a line-out and one last throw of the dice from 40 metres short of the French line.
79 min: This isn’t over. Campbell clatters a French player out to touch to win a line-out. They’re about 70 metres from where they need to be. But they win the ball and get to work.
78 min: A time for a pause after some back and forth with both teams kicking. Parsons hacked at a ball on the floor and chased after it but the French in the backfield managed to secure it. Queyroi ran into a teammate and needed some attention. It all ends with France having the line-out, off a penalty, inside Irish territory. If they keep the ball they’re through the last four.
Penalty! France 18-13 Ireland (Bourgeois, 76)
Ireland need a try at least to stay in this tournament. A simple swing of Bourgeois’ right boot stretches France’s lead to five.
74 min: Now France have the game in their hands and they’re peppering the Irish backfield with some deep kicks. Parsons fields one but is snaffled as she runs it back. France turn her over and are on the ball inside Ireland’s patch. A stiff carry brings. them to the edge of the 22. They get a penalty at the breakdown. On the 22 line and with barely an angle. This should be a gimme for Bourgeois.
71 min: After a couple of penalties, a line-out win and 15 phases with ball in hand, Ireland are a few metres short of France’s line. But they’re turned over! Ikahehegi picks her moment to find an isolated carrier and gets over the ball. Brilliant. The French defence has really stood up.
STUNNING TRY! France 15-13 Ireland (Grisez, 67)
UNREAL TRY! Bigot pinched the ball inside her own 22. In a flash it went right down the line and through the hands. Bourgeois looked up and saw an overlap forming. She was still in her 22. All she had to do was pass to her right and find Grisez. The winger ran 50 metres, brushed off two tacklers close to the irish line and powered over. France are in the lead for the first time. The conversion is missed but if that’s the score that see’s France through they’ll be talking about it for years to come.
Updated
66 min: After eight phases Ireland are back in France’s 22 for the 11th time this match. But Bigot, teh replacement hooker, stoops low to steal it. They launch a counter down the right….
Updated
65 min: Arby makes a mess of things in the backfield as she gets in a tangle from a long Irish kick. Between herself and Bourgeois the ball is spilled. Ireland will get the scrum inside French territory.
More good news as Moore’s yellow card will remain yellow.
64 min: Ireland are hanging in there. They force a knock-on in close contact and then get another turnover off a high contestable kick. After defending a scrum in their own half they’ve managed to push France back about 30 metres. Bourdon Sansus boxes but Flood returns the favour with a great touch finder. France take the line-out quickly and kick themselves. This is all about territory at the minute.
61 min: France are looking dangerous now. From the restart Fall Raclot steams over the gainline and connects with Menager on her shoulder. But the centre is running away from her support and is tackled by Flood. The irish fullback gets back to her feet to steal the ball. Brilliant work. The good work is undone, though, as Ireland spill the ball around halfway. Momentum is definitely with the French now. They have a scrum with options on both sides.
TRY! France 10-13 Ireland (Escudero, 60)
France get their try! Just relentless. Pick and go, pick and go, and eventually the rangy No. 8 muscled her way over. Bourgeois nails a tough conversion from the left tram. That is a sweetly taken two points that could be the difference.
Yellow! Ireland (Moore, 59)
All you want is consistency from the officials and this is a yello2. Just like the first half, when Bernadou was sin-binned, Moore has to go for a shoulder-to-head shot.
59 min: France win the line-out with Champon at the back. They set a maul that fractures. The ball is spilled but backwards. They get a penalty thanks to a high tackle that will need a second look. Moore definitely caught Vernier’s head with her shoulder. Surely a yellow?
57 min: Now France, for the first time in the game, have the ball in Ireland’s 22. They force an offside penalty. Queyroi pings it in the corner. France need to score if they’re to mount a comeback.
56 min: France go from their own 22 all the way to Ireland’s try line in a flash. First with Arby latching onto a kick ahead and then with Bourdon Sansus boxing to the corner. That was not the right call from the scrumhlaf who had options forming to her right. Also, the kick took a bobble and was easily fielded by Parsons who scampered across and dotted down.
Updated
54 min: Now a penalty on the floor for France, on the edge of their own 22 off Ireland’s ball. Menager with the steal. France need a spark though. They’re running out of road.
53 min: Another penalty against France. This came off an Ireland mistake as Jones missed her jumper at a line-out. France swarmed, looking to steal the lose ball, but there was a hand in the dark spaces of a ruck that didn’t belong there.
51 min: France are slick off the top of their line-out with Fall Raclot and then Vernier winning the gainline. But then France spill the ball so Ireland are back on the ball inside their own half. Now they have a penalty advantage after a French high shot.
49 min: Oh, Bourdon Sansus hoofs a clearing kick after the restart, but she’s adjudged to have brought it back into her own 22 before she did so. I’m not sure she did. But justice is served as Ireland give away a soft penalty from their own line-out on the edge of France’s 22. Sloppy.
Penalty! France 3-13 Ireland (Bourgeois, 48)
There’s three of them. With the wind, the French sharpshooter has no problem nudging this over.
47 min: Ireland won yet another scrum penalty, but their good work is undone as Wafer takes out a French player off the ball so the penalty is reversed. Bourgeois – totally anonymous so far – lines up a penalty shot.
45 min: Ireland eke another scrum penalty, that’s their fourth of the game. They refuse to kick, instead choosing to run it. But they can’t make ground down the left so we come back for the pen. They choose to pack down again. If it ain’t broke…
43 min: Wafer comes up witha great steal on the deck and Ireland have a penalty in their own half, just beyond the 22. They opt for a scrum. Clearly they don’t fancy kicking into the wind. They also have a player advantage in the tight five.
41 min: Bourdon Sansus gives Ireland a taste of their own medicine with two great kicks. The second, from behind the ruck, bounces out of touch around Ireland’s 22.
The players are back out.
The weather has eased. The wind has died down. Does that mean Ireland have enough? We’ll find out.
Half-time: France 0-13 Ireland
France hold out for 30 phases! Ireland kept hammering the line. They went wide left where Flood couldn’t gather a poor pass but they kept possession. They went back right and France kept thrashing carriers in green.
That half lasted an hour! Ireland had the wind and made 664 kicking metres compared to France’s 225.
France made 136 tackles to Ireland’s 57 while 80% of the game was played in France’s patch.
40+6 min: Ireland have been charging the line for 27 phases! Still France hold out.
40+2 min: France give away a penalty at the scrum. So Ireland have a free hit. They go wide left but can’t make it work so come back for the penalty five out on the right. Tap and go. Can they do it?
Yellow card! France (Feleu, 40+1)
France lose their skipper! Collapsing the maul. Should that have been a penalty try? No says the ref. But that’s another psychological boost for the Irish who have bossed this. They choose to scrum. One final chance for points on the board while the wind is at their backs.
40 min: A monster maul from a line-out has Ireland within touching distance of the French line!
39 min: Ireland will have a scrum feed after a French spill from the restart.
The BBC commentators are making a big deal about the wind. They’re saying that it’s blowing across the field, right in the faces of the French. There’s even a suggestion that a 13 point lead isn’t quite enough given the huge advantage Ireland have had.
Will be fascinating to see how it plays out in the second half.
Before then, Ireland will feed the scrum.
Updated
Penalty! France 0-13 Ireland (O'Brien, 38)
That is some kick under pressure. France still within two converted tries, but that makes things a little more comfortable for the Irish.
38 min: Ireland win a scrum penalty against French ball. O’Brien points to the poles. On a slight angle to the left of the poles. The wind is swirling. This won’t be easy.
37 min: Another long kick from O’Brien puts France deep in their own half. Rather than kick the Rrench look to run it out. First with Arby down the left wing and then with the forwards through the middle. They inch their way upfield, making a mere eight metres from seven phases. They get lucky as there’s an Irish knock-on in the tackle. I’m not sure the ball has been in Ireland’s 22 at all this half.
34 min: Wafer is down! She’s holding her knee. She looks in proper pain. Oh no, say it ain’t so! She’s back on her feet and will do her best to carry on but she went down with a yelp. Meanwhile France kept the ball for a spell before a soft knock-on by Queyroi. Bourdon Sansus is having a game (or at least a five minute spell) where she’s doing her best to ignite something. A bit erratic, but the French need a spark.
Wafer is OK it seems. She’ll pack down for an Irish scrum just inside their own half after that Queyroi knock-on.
32 min: An eventful two minutes ends with O’Brien kicking long and Queyroi dotting down for a 22 drop-out. France won a penalty which was sparkedwith a tap and go from Bourdon Sansus. But Jones stole a wonderful turnover before O’Brien launched it long. Better from France. Their scrum-half is taking them forward on her own right now.
30 min: Another knock on. This one from Ireland after a bit of kick tennis. I’ve been harsh on the players. Conditions are so tough, even though the rain has stopped and some sunshine is poking through. French scrum inside their own half. Sansus picks and darts down the blind on the right before grubbering ahead.
28 min: Tuite loses it in contact after a strong hit by Champon. France then look to spark a break down their right from inside their 22. Skipper Feleu leads the charge but they can’t make it work. The ball bobbles out of her grasp but they’ll come back for the scrum after the Tuite knock-on. They get a free kick, Sansus taps and hacks it upfield but Ireland secure the ball and come again from halfway.
27 min: France are a shambles in the back. Sansus, normally so assured, hacks a clearing kick that skews off the boot and lands out of touch on her own 22. Another opportunity for Ireland. Campbell wins the line-out and they set a maul. Ireland are bossing this!
25 min: Some good news at least for France as Bernadou’s yellow will remain as is. After looking at another replay, that really could have gone either way.
TRY! France 0-10 Ireland (Flood, 24)
Finally, some quality! That was clinical from Ireland. A strong scrum gave them front foot ball. Wafer looped around to hit a short pass at speed and made about four metres after contact, taking it within touching distance of the line. Support formed to the including Flood. The fullback, on an overlap, worked an edge to score. The conversion skews wide though.
France are on an eight-game winning streak over Ireland. They have a mountain to climb now.
23 min: My word, this is poor. Jones misses her jumper five out from the French line. But no matter, France spill the loose greasy ball. So Ireland have a scrum five out with a small and inviting blind to their right. France have two defenders there and a back in the pack. Ireland simply HAVE to score from here.
22 min: What they can do is win a scrum penalty on the 22. O’Brien nudges it pretty much in the corner. Line-out Ireland.
21 min: France make a mess of their line-out. Ireland get the scrum on France’s 22. This has been a tough watch, it has to be said. Stodgy and fumbly. Conditions are yuck. But someone has to do something! France take off flank Berthomieu in order to fill their front row. What can Ireland do?
20 min: Ireland can’t make it work. They win the line-out from the penalty and essentially run into a blue brick wall. Seven phases later they’re picked off on the ground and France get a relieving penalty on the ground. The kick isn’t great – though to be fair the wind isn’t helping – so France get the line-out on their own 22.
Yellow card! France (Bernadou, 19)
Yup, head on head. She’s down the tunnel but will have to stay there for at least 10 more minutes. Could be upgraded but I’d be surprised if it was. Ireland have to take advantage of this.
18 min: Ireland back on the ball after winning a line-out following a Sansus clearing box kick. But it’s the same story. Good hands. Continuity. But no punch. Bernadou is down so we’ll have a break. Head in head collision perhaps. Ireland are certainly running hard. Hogan had an ambitious carry off that line-out. However, this feels a bit like an immovable object against the unstoppable force. Something needs to break this game open.
Oooh, they’re looking at a potential high tackle by a French player. Bernadou could be in trouble actually.
16 min: No. France’s defence holds inside their 22. The Irish runners don’t quite have the punch around the fringe. When they try to go down the line the rush defence gets up and forces the knock-on. France have the scrum inside their 22. This has been a fascinating tactical battle. Ireland are owning the territory but don’t quite have the killer edge.
Updated
14 min: And repeat. France, conscious that they won’t get upfield through their kicks, try to run it up. Ireland swarm and hold up the ball carrier, forcing a maul and then a turnover. O’Brien, after some irish carries, drills another kick to the corner. It bounces for a 22 drop-out, but Ireland have the ball back and this time they make ground. They’re into the 22. 10 out. Can they do anything with this opportunity?
12 min: The plan is clear from Ireland. O’Brien is kicking the leather off the ball, pinning France back. Another raking kick finds touch between the 22 and halfway.
11 min: France just can’t get out of their own half at the minute. They win the ball out the back if the scrum and run it down the line, but Vernier is smoked in contact and spills the ball. Scrum to Ireland on halfway.
10 min: Ireland are back on the ball inside France’s patch. O’Brien looks up and spots some space in the left corner. She puts in a kick over the shoulder of Queyroi, but the wind sees it go too long and it bounces out of play beyond the dead ball line. So France have the scrum feed from where the kick came from, about 10 metres inside their own half.
8 min: Ireland are playing with the wind at their backs. In a game like this it makes all the difference as they’re bossing the kicking game. O’Brien is hammering France’s back field. One drifts too long and is marked by Queyroi, but the return only goes about 15 metres upfield. Ireland can’t turn make good on that territorial win as they cough up the ball at the line-out.
TRY! France 0-5 Ireland (Djougang, 6)
No doubt about it this time! Ireland won’t be stopped. Rather than line-out again the tap and go from close range, setting up a charge from their rampaging prop. Djougang can’t be repelled from that distance at that pace. The conversion from O’Brien catches the wind and drifts to the left of the poles from the left tram.
Updated
5 min: Ireland go to the corner and Campbell wins the line-out at the front. They set the maul and France give away a penalty as they try to stop it.
NO TRY! France 0-0 Ireland
4 min: Oh no! They’re having a look at the try. Apparently there was a knock-on by an Irish player. Yes, Wafer spilled it as she stole the loose ball close to the line! Ireland were playing with a penalty advantage so they’ll have another crack within touching distance.
TRY! France 0-7 Ireland (Monaghan, 3)
Ireland are on the board! Well then, what a start for the Irish. A mighty scrum makes life tricky for Bourdon Sansus at the back of the pack. France can’t clear and Ireland turn them. Djougang cam close with a short carry. Ireland kept their composure and soon the skipper was on the ball, sliding over from two metres out. The conversion is good.
2 min: Ireland go down the blind side to the left but the French rally and force a knock-on. They’ll have the scrum now five out from their own line in the right corner.
1 min: O’Brien hoofs a mighty kick that takes a touch off Escudero’s hand. it bobbles into France’s goal area and the Frenc No. 8 dots it down. Did she not realise she’d touched it? Ireland get a scrum five out.
And we’re off with a shrill blast of Aimee Barrett-Theron’s whistle! My word, conditions are slick and greasy. Should make for a tactical battle. Who will box smartest? Ireland in emerald green or France in royal blue?
It’s still raining as the players make their way out of the tunnel for the anthems. Stiff winds as well. This could get messy.
Some fighting words from Ireland’s flanker, Fiona Tuite:
The girls went through war last weekend (against New Zealand), and we took so many positives from that once we pushed the emotions aside from the loss. We played against one of the best teams in the world, we’re now going to play against one of the other best teams in the world, so it’s teed us up nicely from a physicality, speed and tactical point of view. Mentally we need to stay switched on, we stay in the fight, and this is all out war.
Ireland head coach, Scott Bemand, had this to say about his star player:
We’ve all wanted to see [Aoife Wafer] back on the pitch, she’s been desperate to get out there and give herself to the cause. She’s worked incredibly hard behind the scenes and there’s been huge support for her in getting back to this point. We’re fully confident she’s fit and ready. She’s exactly where she wants to be, and we believe this gives her the best opportunity to get her best game out there at a quarter-final
It’s going to be greasy and wet in Exeter today.
If Ireland can box clever, if they can hoist high kicks and stifle that French continuity with ball in hand, then, well, you never know.
Ireland team
Ireland will need to win that contest in the midfield and their centre pair Eve Higgins and Aoife Dalton are more than capable of matching their opponents.
The reigning Six Nations Player of the Tournament, Aoife Wafter, has not featured in the World Cup so far as she’s been nursing her knee following surgery. But she’s back today and starts in the 7 jersey.
France’s co-coach Gaëlle Mignot has said the scrum will be a “key battle” so all eyes on Linda Djougang, the most-capped member of the squad with 51 appearances for her country. Unlike most props, she tends to stick around beyond the 70th minute, such is her importance to the cause.
Ireland: Flood; Parsons, Dalton, Higgins, Costigan’ O’Brien, Reilly, O’Dowd, Jones, Djougang, Campbell, Monoghan, Tuite, Wafer, Hogan.
Replacements: Maloney MacDonald, Perry, McGrath, Corri-Fallon, Moore, Lane, Breen, McGann.
France team
It’s a formidable looking midfield as Gabrielle Vernier partners Marine Ménager. Pauline Bourdan Sansus will no doubt look for runners against the grain with every opportunity.
Lock Madoussou Fall Raclot was a menace against South Africa. Her carrying ability, along with Charlotte Escudero’s all-court game at the base of the ruck, will be key to providing France go-forward ball.
Morgane Bourgeois’ reliability from the tee sees her win the fullback jersey.
France: Bourgeois; Grisez, Menager, Vernier, Arbey; Queyroi, Bourdon Sansus; Brosseau, Gerin, bernadou, Feleu, Raclot, Berthoumieu, Champon, Escudero.
Replacements: Deshaye, Hkalfaoui, Ikahehegi, Okemba, Feleu, Chambon, Boulard.
While I put together the team sheets, take a read of Andy Bull’s latest yarn:
Preamble
Of the four quarterfinals, this one has the best chance of being a close affair.
New Zealand was always going to have too much for a spirited South Africa. Canada’s extra heft was always going to be too much for the plucky Aussies. England should sure have too much for a brave Scottish outfit.
And even though France will start as favourites, and should have too much for Ireland, we might just have a game on here.
France swept their group with the sensational Pauline Bourdon Sansus running the show at scrum-half (what is it with French scrummies?). But Ireland demonstrated more than pluck (though they did lose 40-0 to New Zealand).
The Irish are ranked fifth in the world, one place behind the French, Though admittedly a whopping 7.03 points separate them.
How many will separate them today?
We’ll find out together when things kick-off at 1pm BST.
Teams, updates and some reading to come.
