Les Bleuets were trailing 14-10 late in the first half as Fintan Gunne and John Devine crossed for Ireland, but a Mathis Ferté score and Hugo Reus’ boot had kept France in touch and they led at the break through Lino Julien.
Paddy McCarthy’s yellow card just before halftime proved to be decisive as France added 14 more points in the early stages of the second-half as Pierre Jouvin and Nicolas Depoortère went over to open up a 17-point lead.
France added three tries in the final ten minutes as Ferté got a second, skipper Lenni Nouchi scored from long range and Léo Drouet crossed at the death before Reus' boot ensured France reached the half-century.
“All credit to the French,” said Ireland captain Gus McCarthy. “They put us in places we haven’t been before, we really struggled defensively. But I’m really proud of the boys, we stuck in there and gave it our all. We can keep our heads held high, we’ve fought hard in this tournament.
“We stuck together no matter what, and we’ll still stick together now. We would’ve liked a better performance today but unfortunately things just didn’t work out.”
This story is from the July 16, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 16, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.
South America look to keep on building
AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.
Scarratt excited by new pathway
ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.
Baxter: I want to make things better
ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.
New England group will cause uncertainty
SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.
Galthie turns his sights to the future
FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.
