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
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.