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Women's Rugby World Cup: Wales suffer heavy defeat to France, Ireland beat the USA

Caroline Ladagnous of France breaks through the Wales defence
Image: Caroline Ladagnous (c) breaks through the Wales defence

Wales campaign at the Women's Rugby World Cup started with a 26-0 defeat against Six Nations champions France.

Wing Marion Lievre scored two tries during a comfortable win for France, with centre Shannon Izar and replacement back Elodie Poublan also running in tires. 

The bonus-point win puts France top of Pool C on five points, one ahead of Australia with South Africa and Wales still to get off the mark.

The French had the match all-but wrapped up by the interval following a devastating 13-minute spell which saw them run in three tries without reply.

Winger Lievre broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when she intercepted Wales fly-half Elinor Snowsill's pass and raced three-quarters of the pitch to touch down, with Sandrine Agricole adding the extras.

France then scored twice in four minutes with Izar going over before Lievre touched down her second try, with Wales unable to produce a reply for the remainder of the match

Earlier on Friday Ireland began their Women's Rugby World Cup campaign with a 23-17 win against the United States in Marcoussis.

Full-back Niamh Briggs scored a try and booted 13 points in a Group B victory that also saw prop Ailis Egan get over the line.

The Eagles - world champions back in 1991 – scored tries through Lynelle Kruger and Carmen Farmer, with Kimber Rozier converting both and steering a penalty home shortly before half-time.

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