Eire fell agonisingly in need of a spot within the final 4 of the Ladies’s Rugby World Cup, throwing away a 13-0 half-time result in crash out 18-13 to France of their quarterfinal at Sandy Park.
Scott Bemand’s crew had been in search of only a second ever semifinals look and appeared to be in command after Linda Djougang and Stacey Flood went over within the first half.
Nevertheless, France surprised them with a dramatic comeback after the interval, Joanna Grisez going over with the essential rating with 13 minutes remaining to interrupt Eire hearts.
It had all began so promisingly for Eire, when Niamh O’Dowd was introduced down near the road and her front-row accomplice Djougang powered over for the opening rating. Dannah O’Brien was simply vast with the conversion.
Rose Bernadou was then despatched to the sin bin for a tip sort out on Eve Higgins earlier than Eire doubled their lead within the thirtieth minute.
Aoife Wafer went shut because the ball emerged from the scrum and with a participant benefit, Eire labored it by the palms the place Flood was ready to cross the road. O’Brien’s conversion once more was vast of the mark.
The fly-half lastly discovered success between the posts to increase the result in 13-0 with a penalty earlier than an onslaught to complete off the half noticed them undergo 33 phases, however in the long run, Eire had been unable to increase their lead.
Morgane Bourgeois’ penalty firstly of the second half started the France fightback, then Eire’s place grew extra precarious when Grace Moore was despatched to the sin bin.
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Quantity eight Charlotte Escudero discovered area to interrupt Eire’s line after France had moved the ball properly by the palms to claw it again to 13-10.
Then got here a second through which the quarterfinal turned. Amee-Leigh Costigan was left with a two vs. one as her aspect regarded to increase their lead from place, however after she was caught out.
Grisez took possession contained in the Eire half and ran the size of the pitch handy her aspect the lead for the primary time.
Bourgeois kicked a late penalty to go away Eire needing a attempt to haul themselves again into the competition, however France clung on to progress to the final 4.