Ireland punched themselves drunk in their attempts to find another score in the Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final as their limitations were exposed, according to Bernard Jackman.
The former Ireland hooker said that "in other areas of the game we were very strong" but said a lack of cutting edge cost them dearly in the 18-13 defeat to France in Exeter.
Scott Bemand’s side scored two tries and a penalty in a wind-assisted first half but couldn’t finish a 35-phase move at the end of the half, and failed to breach the Bleues line in the second.
"The 22 entries was 12 to two in favour of Ireland, so we were able to get there but then our limitations showed up," he told RTÉ Sport.
"There’ll be no doubting the spirit, the physical fitness, the plan was good in wet weather rugby.
"But the extra layer, finding it easier to score and the organisation [was missing].
"We punched ourselves drunk at times by playing phase after phase.
"The work of the pack was incredible, both sides of the ball but you can’t just rely on them, you need to have balance between backs and forwards.
"Looking at this backline and the talent that’s in that the regret will be not having done more to bring them into the game with better opportunities.
"You've got to try and create more space with your shape or movement.
"Once France decided they wanted to tackle, we were always unlikely to break through.
"We weren’t asking enough questions of their defenders.
Half-time: 🇫🇷 0-13 🇮🇪
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 14, 2025
A good half could have been a great one, but Ireland come up just short in their pursuit of a third try
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"We were having to work incredibly hard by running at walls effectively.
"Béibhinn [Parsons] and Amee-Leigh [Costigan] were starved of possession.
"That will be the next evolution for the Six Nations, to play a more balanced game.
"In other areas of the game we were very strong.
"Our transition and our counter-attack are the areas that we haven't developed as far as our fitness, our kicking game.
"Today, in fairness, we saw our defence much better, which is a positive."
Bemand (above) only used four replacements in the game at Sandy Park and Jackman said: "When they analyse this they will have to question their use of the bench.
"Given the game was so attritional, given the conditions, we saw France being able to bring on those fresh legs.
"And if we didn’t have them then you have to look at what you did over the last two years to get them.
"At this level, talking about World Cup semi-finals, you need to have at least 23 that you trust to come on and help you win a game, close out a game or come from behind."
🇫🇷 18-13 🇮🇪
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 14, 2025
Heartbreak for Ireland as they lose out narrowly to France in their Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final
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Former Ireland prop Lindsay Peat also lamented the one-dimensional approach.
"France showed all their experience, rode the pressure and a bit of luck," she said.
"We didn’t even come onto the ball at pace, everything we did was work-rate and endeavour but surely we should be making their life a bit easier by being a little bit more tactical.
"Could we have changed Stacey [Flood] in at 10, could we have brought Enya [Breen] on.
"There was an awful lot of pressure on Dannah [O’Brien] to keep kicking against the wind.
"Our lineout was excellent but once the maul collapsed, what was our plan to break the French team down?"
Niamh Briggs, who won two Six Nations titles with Ireland, was also on analysis duty with RTÉ TV.
"They'll realise this was a match they could have won," said the former out-half.
"They don’t want to be moral winners, but they are that today.
"They didn’t make their opportunities count.
"At this level, around the detail, catch and carry, ball-presentation, when you get to 70 minutes-plus, if they are not right, teams will punish you."
Watch New Zealand v Canada in the Women's Rugby World Cup semi-finals on Friday from 6.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
