Ireland Falls in Rugby World Cup Quarterfinals to France
Ireland came close to securing a place in the Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-finals, but suffered a painful defeat to France with a score of 18-13 in the quarter-finals held at Sandy Park, squandering a 13-0 lead at halftime.
The team led by Scott Bemand was looking for their second semi-final appearance and seemed to be in control of the match after tries from Linda Djougang and Stacey Flood in the first half.
However, France surprised with a spectacular comeback in the second half, with Joanna Grisez scoring the crucial try 13 minutes from the end, breaking the hearts of the Irish women.
The match started promisingly for Ireland, when Niamh O’Dowd was taken down near the line and Djougang scored the first try. Dannah O’Brien was close to converting the kick.Rose Bernadou was cautioned for a dangerous tackle on Eve Higgins, and Ireland extended their lead in the 30th minute. Aoife Wafer came close to scoring, and Flood scored the try. O’Brien missed the conversion.
The opening finally managed a field goal to extend the lead to 13-0 with a penalty, before an attack at the end of the first half saw 33 phases, but Ireland could not increase their lead.
A penalty by Morgane Bourgeois at the start of the second half initiated the French comeback, and Ireland’s situation became even more complicated when Grace Moore was cautioned.
Charlotte Escudero found space to break the Irish line, and France cut the distance to 13-10.
Then, a decisive moment changed the course of the match. Amee-Leigh Costigan found herself in a two-on-one situation, but was intercepted.
Grisez took possession in the Irish field and ran to the scoring line to give his team the advantage for the first time.
Bourgeois scored a penalty at the end, leaving Ireland needing a try to tie, but France held on for the victory to advance to the semifinals.
