Ireland got off to a good start on Day 1 of the Women’s U18 Six Nations Festival at Wellington College in England. They finished with one win and one loss from the two 35 minute games and some very encouraging performances for Head Coach Lariss Muldoon to build on.
Match 1: France 24 – 15 Ireland
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France won 24-15 in an enthralling contest with Ireland, making a fast start as No.8 Lise Geneste weaved her way over after two minutes.
Les Bleues had a second six minutes later as slick passing between Charlie Gauyat and Suliana Sivi found Maya Grat in space and with pace to fly over.
Ireland’s heads did not drop and they responded emphatically, working patiently through the phases before Alma Obehi Atagamen crashed over to get her side on the scoreboard.
Try followed try as France worked the ball beautifully from left to right and into the hands of centre Noa Coudre who raced over.
Ireland used power rather than pace for their second score as Kelly Burke dotted down from a strong rolling maul.
Action from France v Ireland -Mandatory Credit Miles Myerscough-Harris
With Ireland nine points behind, France looked to put the game out of sight, stealing a lineout in Ireland’s 22 and working the ball out to Garance Merle who had acres of space to run into to score.
Ireland were not done yet, however, as Roisin Maher spun over at the end of more patient play to cut the deficit in what ended up being the final score of an action-packed game.
Match 2: Ireland 10-0 Italy
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Ireland rounded out the day with a 10-0 win over Italy in a competitive contest.
Niamh Murphy put Ireland ahead early on, as her side followed France’s lead with quick passing moving the ball from right to left.
Murphy then spun out of a last-ditch tackle from the Italian defence to dot down as Caitriona Finn narrowly missed the conversion.
The crowd at Wellington College then got their first real sight of Italy’s attacking talent and it was fluid, but ultimately Ireland turned the ball over and were able to reset.
Action from Ireland v Italy -Mandatory Credit Miles Myerscough-Harris
Ireland scored their second try after 13 minutes after fantastic work from Emma Brogan who weaved her way towards the tryline before setting up Beth Buttimer to dot down.
Italy came closest to scoring in the dying seconds as Ireland were reduced to 14, but Mannini spilt the ball forward to deny them their first points of the festival.
Source: Irish Rugby