Women's Six Nations: France women thrash Ireland 24-0

Ireland's women suffered a crushing four-try defeat by France in their Six Nations opener in Toulouse.

Centre Jade Le Pesq scored two tries as the home side produced a sensational display of attacking rugby.

Cyrielle Banet and Jessy Tremouliere also crossed the line to secure a winning bonus point.

Ireland, under new head coach Adam Grigg, face Italy, Wales and Scotland at home in their next three matches.

Led by Bayonne fly-half Pauline Bourdon, France made an electric start at Stade Ernest Wallon as they took the lead inside five minutes.

Full-back Tremouliere, who had missed an early penalty, found Cyrielle Banet on the right wing and she broke through attempted tackles by Claire McLaughlin and Kim Flood to score in the corner.

Ireland gradually began to work their way into the game and battled to within metres of the France line before Niamh Briggs was penalised for not releasing.

France quickly went back on the attack and an inch perfect cross field kick by Bourdon allowed winger Caroline Boujard to get in behind the Ireland defence before passing to Le Pesq, who raced clear to score.

Bourdon inspired another score before half time as her initial half-break led to Yanna Rivoalen being tackled just inches short of the line and France recycled quickly to allow Tremouliere score in the corner.

French fly-half Pauline Bourdon was influential in three of her side's tries

The home side continued to dominate after the restart as Ireland struggled to escape from their own half.

Play had to be held up for several minutes to allow treatment for second row Ciara Cooney, who was carried off on a stretcher with an apparent knee injury.

The visitors' defence cracked again the 74th minute as Le Pesq raced on to a clever off-load by substitute Audrey Forlani to score her second try and secure the bonus point.

Alison Miller produced Ireland's best scoring opportunity but the attack broke down when substitute Mairead Coyne knocked on in stoppage time.

France: Tremouliere; Boujard, Le Pesq, Boudard, Banet; Bourdon, Rivoalen; Arricastre, Sochat, Duval; Ferer, N'Diaye; Mayans, Hermet (capt), Menager.

Replacements: Mignot, Traore, Carricaburu, Forlani, Diallo, Coudert, Vernier, Menager.

Ireland: Flood; Williams, McLaughlin, Naoupu, Miller; Briggs, Hughes; Peat, Moloney, Reidy; Cooney, Fitzsimons; Caplice, Molloy, Griffin (capt).

Replacements: Lyons, Feely, O'Connor, Fryday, Fitzpatrick, Healy, Caughey, Coyne.