Ireland to keep going after 'finer margins' after France loss

At the end of Ireland’s 26-7 loss to France in Clermont there was one phrase that leapt out of the mouths of Scott Bemand and Erin King. Fine margins.

It is a blanket term. But possibly defines Ireland’s defeat perfectly. In the first half Bemand watched as his team were well in the contest as Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald’s try meant that the scoreboard at the Stade Marcel-Michelin read 7-7 at the break.

In fact, Ireland had much the better of things throughout that first 40 minutes of the Round 3 Guinness Women’s Six Nations clash. When the second half resumed François Ratier’s team ran away with things as Carla Arbez, Anais Grando and Lea Champon all dotted down.

“In these kinds of Test matches the margins become finer, so we’re after finer margins than we were,” Bemand said. “Nail your kick to touch and nail your exit – they are the type of things that don’t let France in.

“We will keep going after the finer margins and keep trying to get better. I’ve got a group who is up for that.”

There was also an element of deja vu in Clermont. When the two teams last met it was the Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final. Ireland had a 13-0 half-time lead at Sandy Park that day before France pulled away to win 18-13.

It was another reminder for Ireland of how far they still have to go. The last time they picked up a win over the French was all the way back in 2017. A long wait that will continue for at least another year.

So far this Women’s Six Nations the Irish have recovered from a 33-12 loss to England at Allianz Stadium before a dominant 57-20 win against Italy in Galway. After the fallow week Ireland will host Wales at Belfast’s Affidea Stadium in Round 4.

“I’m really proud of the girls,” King said. “We showed what we are capable of and what we are trying to do. It’s just fine margins out there.

“We fired shots and we are so capable. We put pressure on France and we could see it in that first half especially. We’ve showed that we can compete with the top four in the world, so it’s about getting it over that line.”