After a complicated year 2024, the Blues relied on their defense to resist the return of Ireland and start their Six Nations Tournament with an essential victory (27-15), Saturday March 22 in Belfast.
The French wanted to show a different image and impose their game after having made a poor showing during the Women XV last fall, including two heavy defeats against the Canadians (46-24) and the New Zealanders (39-14).
On the lawn of the Kingspan Stadium, they first succeeded, cornering the Trèfle women in their camp for almost 40 minutes. But they had a more difficult second half after the 20-minute red card inflicted on center Gabrielle Vernier.
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Whatever. Leading the score thanks to quick tries from Vernier and winger Marine Ménager, the players of the selectors Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz then brought out their muscles in defense at 14, before emerging from the water at the end of the match to secure the victory.
If they manage to remain undefeated until the last day, Les Bleues will probably challenge the English, vice-world champions, for the title at the end of the competition on April 26 at Twickenham.
Irish pressure in the second half
Facing Ireland, a selection in clear progress since the arrival of Englishman Scott Bemand at its head in the summer of 2023, the French knew how to avoid the trap.
From the outset, they occupied the local camp and quickly achieved their domination thanks to Vernier (7e) and Household (18e).
Solid in defense on the rare Irish incursions, the French nevertheless gave in for the first time against the power of the third line Aoife Wafer (22e).
They then lacked patience and realism in the Irish 22 meters to further increase the score at the break (17-5).
And they would have been well inspired to do so because upon returning from the locker room, the ascendant changed sides. Reduced to 14 after a yellow card inflicted on Gabrielle Vernier (45e), converted into a 20-minute red card by the bunker, the Tricolores came under pressure from the Irish.
But despite two attempts on a carried ball, concluded by hooker Neve Jones (46e) and by Wafer (67e) – again -, the XV du Trèfle did not manage to regain the score, still being led 17-15.
Back at 15 against 15, the French took the opportunity to regain the lead thanks to the foot of fullback Morgane Bourgeois, five out of five against the poles, and the third liberating blue try from center Émilie Boulard.
With AFP
