Ireland falls to France 27-15 in Women's Six Nations opener

Ireland began their 2025 Women's Six Nations campaign with a hard-fought 27-15 defeat to France at Kingspan Stadium. The French team took an early lead with tries from Gabrielle Vernier and Marine Menager, establishing a 14-point advantage. Despite a red card for Vernier, Ireland mounted a comeback with two tries from Aoife Wafer and Neve Jones, narrowing the gap to just two points. However, France sealed their victory with a late penalty and a try from Emilie Boulard, supported by Morgane Bourgeois's successful kicking. Although Ireland lost, the performance indicated they are closing the gap on their rivals. The result marks another step in the ongoing rivalry, with both teams potentially facing each other in a World Cup quarter-final later this year.