IRELAND’S DREAMS OF winning the Women’s Rugby World Cup on home turf end tonight at UCD having been beaten 21-5 by an excellent French side.
Nora Stapleton from Fahan started at out-half and Cappry native Larissa Muldoon listed among the replacements as France progressed to the semi-finals as Pool C winners with England, New Zealand and the United States.
Caroline Ladagnous scored two first half tries for France, both of which were converted by Shannon Izar to add to Romaine Menager’s opener to give France a 21-0 half-time lead.
Ireland pressed in the second half but were held up inches short on a couple of occasions as France held firm. Stapleton, who had been kicking well from the hand, hobbled off on the hour-mark. Muldoon came on for the final five minutes. Ireland finally got in for a consolation try through Cliodhna Maloney in injury time.
Ireland will now play off for fifth to eight spot on Tuesday as the competition moves north to Queen’s University and the Kingspan Stadium, facing Australia on Tuesday at 2:30pm
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