Ireland were handed a harsh lesson in the standards required at international level as they shipped a heavy defeat to France, who played most of the match with 14 players.
Coming off the back of a demoralising opening TikTok Women's Six Nation loss in Wales last weekend, Greg McWilliams' side promised fight and showed glimpses of potential and improvement, especially with ball in hand, however, they were ultimately overpowered and outclassed by the team ranked third in the world.
The visitors crossed for nine tries on a sunny but windy day in Musgrave Park, while Dannah O'Brien's penalty was Ireland's only score as they succumbed to a record loss to France.
Ireland were operating without their sevens players, who are on duty in Hong Kong, while they had also lost experienced centre Enya Breen to injury last week. Nicole Cronin, Ireland's most capped back in the squad was also a late withdrawal, with uncapped Emma Swords stepping in.
Gaelle Mignot and David Ortiz's charges were clearly the better side but the hosts were authors of their own misfortune in many ways, missing too many first up tackles, conceding too many penalties and failing to secure ball at lineout and the breakdown.
It was actually Ireland who began the game better with a spell of possession inside the French half but poor discipline allowed France to move their way upfield and they struck off their first entry into the Irish 22.
Centre Marine Menager's powerful running had the Irish on the back foot and when Charlotte Escudero bashed Aoife Dalton out of the way, captain Audrey Forlani was in the right place to score France's first in the ninth minute.
Their second, four minutes later, had a touch of luck when out-half Carla Arbez's kick bounced away from Natashja Behan with the lethal wing Caroline Boujard on hand to kick on and collect before scoring.
But Ireland responded well and were extremely unluckly not to score before O'Brien got turned over close to the line.
However, moments later France were reduced to 14 when looshead Annaelle Deshayes went high on Deirbhile Nic a Bháird, who was Ireland's best player on the day.
O'Brien smashed over the resulting penalty but it was France who cut loose, scoring three tries in the next 12 minutes to kill the game as a contest.
Working off solid set-piece ball, they let their skilful backs do the work and Arbez collected her own chip leading up to scrum-half Pauline Bourdon going over for her first, taking a pop pass from Forlani under the posts.
They had their bonus point five minutes later when O'Brien was blocked down by Bourdon, who ran in unopposed for her second.
The Stade Toulousain player could have had a hat-trick moments later but unselfishly passed to centre Gabrielle Vernier after another missed tackle in midfield opened up the backfield.
Ireland head coach Greg McWilliams reflects on his side's @Womens6Nations defeat to France #IREvFRA #RTERugby pic.twitter.com/rILDCsdKuE
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) April 2, 2023
Another powerful break by Menager and Morgane Bourgeois looked likely to lead to their sixth but referee Hollie Davidson found herself in the way and Ireland went in 27-3 down at the break.
Ireland again started off brightly, winning a scrum penalty before Grace Moore barged over two tacklers in midfield, but lost possession in a promising position when Nic a Bhaird got isolated.
After weathering that storm, Les Bleues came again and forced a number of penalties from the Irish defence. Hooker Agathe Sochat grabbed their first of the second period off the back of a well-worked lineout maul and a similar attacked led to winger Cyrielle Banet diving over in the corner.
Vernier grabbed her second with 10 minutes left after Méabh Deely was sin-binned for pulling Banet by the hair and Escudero was on hand at the back of the scrum to add their ninth.
In Edinburgh, Sisilia Tuipulotu and Gwenllian Pyrs scored two tries apiece as Wales triumphed 34-22 against Scotland in Edinburgh and went top of the table. England host Italy tomorrow.
Ireland captain Nichola Fryday on her side's loss to France in the @Womens6Nations #IREvFRA #RTERugby pic.twitter.com/4DOkmeHVWc
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) April 2, 2023
Ireland: Méabh Deely; Aoife Doyle, Aoife Dalton, Vicky Irwin, Natasja Behan; Dannah O'Brien, Molly Scuffil-McCabe; Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Christy Haney; Nichola Fryday (capt), Sam Monaghan; Dorothy Wall, Grace Moore, Deirbhile Nic a Bháird.
Replacements: Clara Nielson, Sadhbh McGrath, Kathryn Buggy, Hannah O'Connor, Brittany Hogan, Emma Swords, Anna McCann, Lauren Delany.
France: Morgane Bourgeois; Cyrielle Banet, Marine Menager, Gabrielle Vernier, Caroline Boujard; Carla Arbez, Pauline Bourdon; Annaelle Deshayes, Agathe Sochat, Clara Joyeux; Manae Feleu, Audrey Forlani; Axelle Berthoumieu, Emeline Gros, Charlotte Escudero.
Replacements: Elisa Riffoneau, Coco Lindelauf, Assia Khalfaoui, Maelle Picut, Gaëlle Hermet, Alexandra Chambon, Jessy Tremouliere, Marie Dupouy.
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
