France 40 Ireland 5: Les Bleus prove to be England’s biggest Women’s Six Nations rivals with thumping win

FRANCE underlined their status as England’s biggest challengers in the TikTok Women’s Six Nations with a thumping victory over Ireland in Toulouse.  

Home-town favourite Laure Sansus grabbed two of Les Bleues’ six tries as France wrapped up the bonus point three minutes before half-time in the 40-5 success. 

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A week after seeing off Italy to earn maximum points, France took control early with a Caroline Drouin penalty before a try from teenager Mélissande Llorens.  

The French scrum was wreaking havoc on Ireland, with Sansus taking advantage to run in the second try before Audrey Forlani got the third on the half-hour.  

Prop Clara Joyeux brought up the bonus point before half-time and Sansus completed her double off the back of a scrum early in the second half, before Ireland finally got on the board. 

Working their way from halfway, it was fitting that Eve Higgins got the score, having had a try disallowed early in the first half.  

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But it was France who had the final say, Emilie Boulard going over for the sixth try to cap off a convincing win.  

For Ireland, it means two defeats from two but new coach Greg McWilliams has urged patience with a big game at home to Italy up next.  

He said: “There’s more to come from this Irish side and I just hope that people out there stay patient. You have to be very proud of the girls and their efforts.  

“Let’s be honest, if you’ve watched the game, we’ve got a lot of work to do around our set-piece, the coaches know that, the players know that and we’ve got to own that.   

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“We’ve got to aim for it to be better but in a weird twist of fate, I don’t feel too bad after this game even though it was a defeat we wouldn’t want to have.”  

The TikTok Women’s Six Nations is more accessible than ever before. 

To find out how you can watch the Women’s Championship visit: