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17th August 2017
08:27pm BST

There was a sell-out crowd at UCD and, sitting alongside fellow fans and nail-gnawers, were Iris rugby luminaries such as Brian O'Driscoll, Sean O'Brien, Joe Schmidt and Ireland scrum coach Greg Feek.
https://twitter.com/BrianODriscoll/status/898251580293603328
https://twitter.com/DanPitchside/status/898251196103704576
Minister for Sport Shane Ross was also in-situ, as was injured Ireland star Niamh Briggs. Ruled out a week before the tournament started, Briggs was nothing but class as she spent much of the countdown to the match posing for pictures with Irish fans and signing autographs.
https://twitter.com/EmmaThurston23/status/898254318242889728
An Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald was also there to cheer on the girls in green.
For all the good will and support that was on show, France are a serious, serious outfit.
Ireland got into their 22 on a few occasions but, midway through the tie, had nothing to show for it. Their opponents were ruthless and, inspired by centre, Caroline Ladagnous, they raced into a 21-0 lead.Explore more on these topics: