France beat Ireland in the Women’s Six Nations, while Wales beat Scotland | Six Nations among women

Ireland suffered their second consecutive Six Nations defeat, thrashed 53-3 France at Musgrave Park in Cork.

The Irish needed a big game after their defeat against Wales on the opening weekend, but they were let down Les Bleues – who made it two wins from two with ease and scored nine tries despite Anael Deschet’s first-half dismissal.

Audrey Forlani burst through a gap to find the opening try after nine minutes and they quickly earned their second five minutes later when Carla Arbez’s shot bounced off, fortunately for Caroline Boujard, allowing her to dive forward and touch down.

Deschayes was shown a red card for a high tackle in the 20th minute and Ireland scored their first points from the penalty spot, but despite being the lesser man, France added their third try after a good pass from Forlani saw Pauline Bourdon break over the ground between the bars.

Bourdon quickly scored a second after making a fine block from Dana O’Brien’s attempted shot to secure the bonus point, and that tackle nearly gave her a hat-trick but unselfishly passed to Gabrielle Vernier who headed home.

Although Ireland started the second half the brighter, France used a throw-in effectively for Agathe Sochat to extend their lead and Cyrille Bonnet headed into the right corner from a rebound pass.

After Ireland’s Meab Deeley was shown a yellow card for pulling France striker Bonnet’s hair, the visitors showed no sign of letting up in the final 10 minutes as Vernier scored at the second attempt. Charlotte Escudero capped off a dominant night for the visitors with a ninth try.

In Edinburgh, Cecilia Tuipulotu and Gwenlian Pearce scored two tries each, Wales won 34-22 against Scotland and topped the Six Nations women’s table.

Tuipulotu and fellow prop Pearce headed home either side of a Helen Nelson penalty in the first half to give Wales a 12-3 lead, before Lana Skeldon’s reply and Nelson’s conversion reduced the deficit to two points at the break.

Pearce added her second try shortly after the restart with Kyra Bevan scoring her second successful conversion, Corinne Grant hitting back for Scotland and Tuipulotu getting on the scoresheet again to secure Wales a bonus point and make it 24-17.

Scotland rallied again, Chloe Raleigh missing the ball in the 65th minute, but Nelson missed her conversion attempt as the visitors kept their noses two in front.

Wales then wrapped things up in the final 10 minutes when Elinor Snowsil converted a penalty, followed by a Fionn Lewis try in the 78th minute.

It makes it two wins from two for Ioan Cunningham’s side, who top France at the summit, adding to their 31-5 win over Ireland, while Brian Eason’s Scotland side are without a point in a week after beating England 58- 7.