France 18-13 Ireland result - Les Blueues come from behind in the second half to beat Ireland at Sandy Park in a nail-biting quarter-final victory.

France came from behind in the second half to beat Ireland in the quarter-finals at Sandy Park with a nail-biting 18-13 victory. 

It was a hard-fought battle as Linda Djougang put Ireland ahead early on, and Stacey Flood doubled their advantage before half-time. 

As Dannah O’Brien slotted the penalty, despite the windy and wet conditions hampering her accuracy, France had a 13-point deficit to make up in the second half.

And yet, despite having three French yellow cards throughout the match, Charlotte Escudero and Joanna Grisez brought France back into the game. 

But it was Morgane Bourgeois’ pinpoint accuracy which made the difference, adding eight points to the score sheet and pushing France out of reach. 

Despite Ireland's efforts in the red, after losing a line-out only five metres out, their tournament came to an end, as France advance to the semi-finals and a meeting with either England or Scotland.

It was her try which started the French resurgence.

Charlotte Escudero is named Player of the Match at Sandy Park

Though disappointed, Eve Higgins spoke after the match and shared her pride.

She said: "We're just sad. We came very close to a semi-final. That was the goal.

"We had moments where we knew we could have scored the points that would have been be enough. Full credit, we put in a huge shift.

"It was a 90-minute performance and we couldn't have asked for more. We're just proud."

It will be disappointing but Ireland should look back in pride at this tournament.

While they may not have broken the quarter-final curse, they were against a far more experienced French side.

They played like a side worthy of a place in the semi-finals.

What's more they have shown they are more than deserving of a match in the Aviva Stadium in the next Six Nations, which was announced today.

Ireland look broken, and who can blame them?

They were within touching distance.

It was a completely different side to who played New Zealand in the pool stages.

France have now reached their sixth consecutive semi-final.

But they have a tough task ahead as they will face either Scotland or hosts England.

FULL-TIME

It was messy, it was scrappy, they trailed for most of it, but in the end Les Blueues managed to beat the Green Wave.

It's knocked on, and France win the match. No one can believe it.

They've found touch, but fail to secure the line-out.

A pause, Aoife Wafer is down with an injury. We're over a minute into the red.

THIS IS INSANE, Ireland are marching forward, six metres away, France a player down.

As they serve their third yellow card of the game, Ireland are given a penalty after a high tackle

She has to find touch

Yellow card to France gives Ireland the advantage - can they use it?

Campbell's tackle on the line gives Ireland the possession.

It's a lineout with 2 minutes to go with 70 metres to make up.

Lina Queyroi collided with her own player, we have a pause in play. Last words of wisdom to see if Ireland can regain the lead they have held for over 50 minutes.

It's pinpoint accuracy from Bourgeois to take Ireland outside of drop-kick territory.

They need to dig deep now.

Parson gathers Bourgoise's kick to start the next Green Wave attack.

They lose possession and France have been given a penalty on the 22 metre line.

Back to 15 and Ireland have stormed through the French 22' but Assia Khalfaou gets her body over the ball to win the penalty.

Ireland still have work to do.