The China Mail - France edge Ireland in Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final thriller

Les Bleues were behind until 13 minutes from time when Joanna Grisez sprinted the length of a field for a superb try to nudge France into a 15-13 lead before a penalty from Morgane Bourgeois edged the French into a five-point advantage with four minutes remaining.

France, who had three players yellow carded during the match, clung on with 14 players on the field, defending a line-out close to their own line as Ireland lost possession with the final play of the game.

Les Bleues will play the winners of Sunday's other quarter-final between favourites England, the tournament hosts, and Scotland in a last-four clash in Bristol on Saturday.

Ireland, who had lost their previous eight games against France, led 13-0 at the break after playing with a strong wind behind them in the first half at a rainswept Sandy Park.

The Irish, who did not qualify for the last World Cup in 2022, took just six minutes to open the scoring when prop Linda Djougang powered over from close range.

Dannah O'Brien was off target with the conversion but Ireland were boosted by a yellow card for France's Rose Bernadou.

And Ireland doubled their lead in the 24th minute when, after the returning Aoife Wafer went close, full-back Stacey Flood crossed the line.

O'Brien's conversion drifted wide again but the fly-half did land a 38th-minute penalty to extend Ireland's lead to 13-0.

France captain Manae Feleu was sin-binned on the stroke of half-time after the lock pulled down a maul.

But Ireland, despite being encamped on Les Bleues' line and taking the ball through more than 30 phases, were denied a try by superb defence before they eventually lost the ball in contact as France, the seven-time World Cup bronze medallists, stayed in touch.

France who won 27-15 when the teams met in this season's Women's Six Nations, eventually got on the scoreboard through a Bourgeois penalty early in the second half as they started their fight back.

Ireland were reduced to 14 players when Grace Moore was yellow-carded for a head-high tackle in the 59th minute and moments later France scored a converted try.

France put the ball through the hands and No 8 Charlotte Escudero went through a gap in the depleted Ireland defence for a well-taken try before Bourgeois landed an excellent conversion in the conditions, with Ireland now leading 13-10 heading into the final quarter.

Ireland were deep into French territory when they lost possession and a superb counter-attack saw Les Bleues take the lead for the first time in the 67th minute with a brilliant length of the field try from right wing Grisez.

Bourgeois was unable to convert on this occasion but kicked a penalty soon afterwards to extend France's lead to 18-13 with four minutes remaining.

J.Liv--ThChM