RWC2025 | France scored 18 unanswered second-half points to beat Ireland at a rainy Sandy Park

France scored 18 unanswered second-half points to beat Ireland at a rainy Sandy Park on Sunday and book their place in the semi-finals of Rugby World Cup 2025.

Conditions were not great throughout the encounter, but they were particularly atrocious in the first half, where Ireland used the high winds behind them to their advantage and build a 13-0 lead thanks to tries from Linda Djougang and Stacey Flood as well as a Dannah O'Brien penalty.

France endured a lengthy period of defence on their own line in the final possession of the half, and once they turned over the ball after more than 30 phases to end the half, they came into the second half with much more confidence.

They didn't have the same wind behind them as the Irish did in the first half, but France were able to muscle their way into the game and they were rewarded through tries from Charlotte Escudero and Joanna Grisez.

Morgane Bourgeois converted one of them to go with her 48th-minute penalty, and when she stepped up and converted another in the 75th minute, she set up a grandstand finish. Ireland were once against deep in the French half, and once again they stood firm to resist multiple phases of attack before an attacking lineout saw Manae Feleu leap up and disrupt the throw to win a tense quarter-final.

Mastercard Player of the Match

Charlotte Escudero

Stat of the day

35 - The number of phases of possession France defended for at the end of the first half. They may not have appreciated it at the time, but that was the moment that swung the game in their favour.

Next steps

France will face the winners of the quarter-final between England and Scotland in Bristol later in the day, while for Ireland, their Rugby World Cup 2025 journey is over.