Ireland have fallen agonisingly short of France in their WRWC quarter-final in England this Sunday, succumbing to an 18-13 defeat at the hands of the French.
Scott Bemand’s side came racing out of the blocks in the first half, dominating France from minute one to forty, and leading them 13-0 at the break thanks to two tries from Linda Djougang and Stacey Flood and a penalty from Dannah O’Brien.
🇫🇷 0-10 🇮🇪
Ireland spread it wide against 14 women and Stacey Flood gets over!
📱https://t.co/5qlo8jlV8C #RTESport pic.twitter.com/mFAjaxaTu9
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 14, 2025
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It was a momentum they simply couldn’t maintain in the face of a mighty French side, however. Who, in improving conditions and with the wind at their back, slowly but surely gained momentum, ultimately putting eighteen unanswered points on the board in the second half and forcing Ireland to go hunting a late, late try.
While they battled gallantly until the death, finding themselves with a penalty inside the French 22 with the clock in the red, the French defence proved just strong enough to hold them out, cruelly denying Ireland a place in the Rugby World Cup final four.
🇫🇷 18-13 🇮🇪
Heartbreak for Ireland as they lose out narrowly to France in their Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final
📱https://t.co/5qlo8jmsYa #RTESport pic.twitter.com/Ute7bPMcFz
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 14, 2025
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Ireland star appears to be bitten in quarter-final loss
Despite eventually getting over the line, France’s performance was one dominated by ill-discipline that saw them handed three yellow cards in the eighty minutes of nail-biting action.
Footage now circulating on social media would suggest that the now semi-finalists were very fortunate to avoid a more severe punishment during the clash.
The video appears to show Ireland backrow Aoife Wafer falling victim to a bite from a member of the French team while jackaling for the ball during Sunday’s clash.
— Peter (@Peter73180570) September 14, 2025
Despite clear appeals to South African referee Aimee Barrett-Theron from Wafer, neither she nor the TMO took any action over the incident. Had it been picked up, it would in all likelihood have fallen outside the 20-minute red card rule and earned France a straight red card, reducing them to fourteen women and potentially changing the game for Ireland.Â
Although a citation may now follow for the involved French star, where any proceedings would nearly certainly see her suspended for their upcoming semi-final, it will do little to heal the hurt of an Ireland side who poured everything into overcoming Les Bleus in Sunday’s quarter-final at Sandy Park.
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