France v Ireland | Talking points from France's statement win in Clermont

France stayed on course for a Guinness Women’s Six Nations showdown with England by beating Ireland for the ninth time in a row at the Stade Marcel Michelin in Clermont in Round 3.

After a tight first half which ended at 7-7, the French pulled away from Ireland to win 26-7 with tries from Ambre Mwayembe, Carla Arbez, Anais Grando and Lea Champon. Ireland’s sole effort came from Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald.

Ireland came out of the blocks incredibly quickly but with three possible tries ruled out by the TMO in the first half and a missed kick on goal early in the second half their challenger faded and the French took control to secure a bonus-point win which sees Les Bleues now level on points with England in the table heading into the fallow week.

Here are three talking points from France’s Round 3 win over Ireland in Clermont…

This was a vastly improved Ireland to the side which lost to England

Despite only scoring seven points in the first half, Ireland swaggered around Clermont for 40 minutes, playing the braver, slicker, and more self-confident rugby. Aoife Wafer epitomised Ireland’s intensity with her shudderingly carrying game again but it was the likes of 20-year-old winger Robyn O’Connor who underlined their confidence as she popped up everywhere on just her second cap.

Elsewhere in the backs outside centre Aoife Dalton and full-back Stacey Flood were physically dominating the French, whilst every player in the Irish pack was dishing it out to the French up front, especially captain Erin King whose turnover work was exceptional. Unfortunately for Ireland they didn’t bank enough points from their endeavours and they couldn’t find that tempo again after half-time.

France are in Ireland’s heads

When Ireland failed to score just before half-time against France in the World Cup quarter-final in Exeter while leading 13-0, they knew it might come back to bite them. It did, and they lost 13-18. But at the Stade Marcel Michelin, Ireland missed out on three gilt-edged opportunities to score in the first half.

The first false dawn fell to Brittany Hogan whose try – awarded on-field by the referee Clara Munarini – was ruled out for a double movement. Next went Fiona Tuite who was held up over the line after a fine run and finally Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald touched down only to have it ruled out for a knock-on by Emily Lane in the build-up. Forget seeking revenge on the French, you’d forgive the Irish for seeking revenge on the TMO.

Had those chances been taken Ireland might have been out of sight by half-time, or well on the way to it at least. Instead France feasted on Ireland’s frustration, as well as flagging energy levels, and scored three tries of their own after the break. Their winning streak against the Irish now extends to nine matches.

Can the French challenge England in Bordeaux on closing night?

On this showing, maybe. They certainly have the requisite weaponry to mount a serious challenge to England up-front. Lock forward Madoussou Fall Raclot looked as destructive as ever against Ireland and she had some devilish deputies in the loose in the Player of the Match Ambre Mwayembe, hooker Mathilde Lazarko and captain Manae Feleu.

It seems also that while France can be bent and twisted into all manner of awkward shapes, and rarely break. Against Ireland they made 240 tackles [to Ireland’s 169] and missed just 15 [while Ireland missed 35]. The number of turnovers they pulled out of nowhere was masterful, with Charlotte Escudero to the fore in that regard after coming on at half-time.

France are also experts of the second-half surge and they did it again against Ireland. If they are in any way in touch with the Red Roses at half-time on Sunday 17 May in Bordeaux, and you fancy they might be, they won’t be lacking any belief about going after the World Champions in the second half. It’s what they do. We could be in for a grandstand conclusion to this year’s Women’s Six Nations.