After a shaky start, the Irish scrum has found its bearings - They look to attack off the back in the final moments of the first half, but a powerful covering tackle from Couvard puts the ball out of play and signals the break.

With the break approaching, the score remains 0-0. Frustrations for the visitors as they fail to convert possession into points.

O'Brien tears off the rear of the scrum and links with Muldoon. They sweep the ball left and then right, in search of holes. But a turnover ensues when Spence makes a break and the support players arrive late.

Big moment for the Irish. Off the back of a scrum, Stapleton provides the kick and the chase is good. Biles, with one eye on the ball and one eye on the oncoming green defence, spills forwards and gives the Irish a fantastic attacking platform on the French 22.

Clock is paused as players from either team receiving treatment.

30 minutes gone here in Ashbourne RFC. The Irish are again pinned inside their own half when again they force the knock-on. Claire Molloy tireless in defence this evening, and causing problems for the visitors.

Jessy Tremouliere is gifted another opportunity to get the scoreboard ticking, this time from 40 metres out. No luck however, this one drifts wide too.

Again, the French concede a penalty in a promising position and play is taken up to half-way through the boot of Stapleton.

The Irish are pinged for offside when Niamh Briggs boots down-field and an Irish player fails to retreat. Cabalou points to posts but her kick drifts wide. The ball bounces dangerously inside the in-goal, but the Irish scramble and manage to relieve their lines.

Irish scrum just outside their own 22 - Claire Molloy with an important turnover in the build up.