Player comparisons: French flair overcomes resilient Irish in Exeter

France secured their spot in the semifinals of the 2025 Rugby World Cup following a titanic struggle with Ireland at Sandy Park in Exeter.

Coming away with an 18 – 13 victory, Les Bleus will now face either England or Scotland in the final four.

Facing a stiff breeze in the first half, France were pinned deep by the Irish kicking game of Dannah O’Brien and Stacey Flood.

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

Gaining a clear ascendancy at set-piece time, the Irish pack punished France with their ability to retain possession. Enjoying 81% of the territory and 67% possession, Ireland crossed the line twice through Linda Djougang and Flood, with O’Brien adding a penalty to put Ireland into a 13 – 0 lead at the break.

Despite this dominance, France won the critical moment, weathering a 35-phase Irish storm to conclude the first half.

Beginning the second half in the same manner that Ireland ended the first, Les Bleus camped down in the Irish half for the first eight minutes. Unlike Ireland, they were initially unable to really make this advantage count, with Ireland dominating at scrum time.

Instead, it would be France’s ability to break from deep that would prove to be the decider.

Defending on their five-meter line with fifteen minutes to play, France completed a turnover before quickly shifting the ball through the hands. Racing down the right-hand touchline, Joanna Grisez finished off the move to put her side in front for the first time in the contest.

Nine minutes later, France would gain their first bit of daylight in the contest when Morgane Bourgeois slotted a penalty to put her side out of penalty territory.

Front-Row – Advantage Ireland

Completely dominant from the off, the Irish scrum set the tone for Scott Bemand’s side.

The starting trio of Niamh O’Dowd, Neve Jones and Linda Djougang continually had their French counterparts on roller skates.

This dominance saw Djougang power over for the opening try in the 5th minute following waves of Irish tight carries. The tighthead would continue to be a focal point for the Irish attack throughout the full 80 minutes, behind only Aoife Wafer in the carry stakes with 24. Showing her full array of skills, Djougang topped the defenders beaten chart for Ireland with three and was ferocious in defence with 13 tackles and a turnover.

At line-out time, Jones hit her marks in challenging conditions to ensure a 94% win rate with both Djougang and O’Dowd key orchestrators in Ireland’s maul game. This pressure would see France lock Manae Feleu receive a yellow card on the stroke of half-time for collapsing a maul.

Second-Row – Advantage France

Arguably, the key difference makers for Les Bleus, Manae Feleu and Madoussou Fall Raclot each had powerful surges into the heart of the Irish defence.

One carry in particular by Fall Raclot set up a long-range French strike. Bursting through the Irish defensive line, the rangy lock raced fifty meters before offloading to her support runners. This offload would be one of three for Raclot, who topped that department for her side.

Defensively, the pair combined for a whopping 46 tackles, with Feleu being joint top of the charts with 27. At line-out time, she would be her side’s go-to option with three catches.

Back-Row – Advantage Ireland

Ever heard of Aoife Wafer? Of course you have. Nearly dragging her team over the line, the Harlequins’ backrow was at times unplayable.

Topping the carry charts for her side with 26, most of which were directly into heavy French traffic. Wafer proved once again why she is the key player for her side and why the coaching staff brought her straight back into the starting XV following her injury lay-off.

Defensively, Wafer was front and centre for her side with 12 tackles (two dominant) and two big-time turnovers that released the pressure valve when Les Bleus were going through the gears.

Shaking off two major hits, which had her on the ground for an extended period, Wafer epitomised the Irish spirit on the day.

Joining their openside in putting in big shifts, Fiona Tuite and Brittany Hogan were both exceptional.

Getting on the ball with 14 carries, ten tackles and six line-out grabs, Tuite was a key cog in the Irish pack.

At number eight, Hogan took a significant hit around the 50th minute but soldiered on for another seven minutes before being forced off. Her removal was a major blow, given her impressive carrying and link work, which was central to Ireland’s ability to get over the gainline.

Halfbacks – Advantage France

Both sets of halfbacks had their moments in what were brutally challenging conditions.

When the big plays were needed, it was the French combination of Pauline Bourdon Sansus and Lina Queyroi that made them.

Kicking into a near gale force in the first half, Bourdon Sansus’s accurate box kicks were utterly crucial to getting her side off their own line.

Similarly, Queyroi nailed the trajectory off the boot, keeping the ball low; she managed to get good distance and accuracy when kicking for touch.

Shifting tactics in the second half, the pair kicked long, exposing gaps in the Irish backfield cover. This strategy piled pressure on Ireland, with Dannah O’Brien in particular being targeted by the French chasers whenever she was in the backfield.

Centres – Advantage France

Given the conditions, both sides relied heavily on their centre combinations to not only make yards but retain possession.

For Ireland, Eve Higgins was clearly the first-choice career off-set piece and did well to set up her team’s multiphase game plan.

However, the French pairing of Gabrielle Vernier and Marine Menager were clinical whenever the ball came their way.

Making the most of the minimum possession that came their way, the pair sparked opportunities that shifted momentum throughout the contest.

Menager in particular was a handful, making 61 meters off just five carries with a line break and, crucially, a try assist.

Defensively, the pair fronted up with Vernier being the key operator in the French backline, putting in 13 carries, four of which were dominant tackles, which stopped Irish carriers in their tracks.

Back-Three – Advantage Ireland

Putting on far from pristine conditions for the occasion, Sandy Park was a back three’s nightmare.

Targeted all afternoon by the halfbacks, both sides handled a challenging situation well.

Ireland’s trio of Stacey Flood, Beibhinn Parsons and Amee Leigh Costigan edged the proceedings.

Netting her side’s second try, Flood was exemplary not only with her kick return but as a second distributor in the wide channels.

Defensively, the trio shut down Les Bleus’ ability to get wide by jamming in with well-timed tackles. Utilising their sevens skills, each of the three went after the breakdown, which slowed down the French attack and allowed Ireland to reset.