Win over France will set Ireland Women up for serious championship tilt

Back in Ashbourne, home to many good memories and tasty desserts

It is almost two years since tries from Niamh Briggs and Ailis Egan sealed a 15-10 win over France, in Ashbourne. The victory all but confirmed Ireland as Six Nations champions. They travelled to Florence, a week later, and clinched their first ever Grand Slam. France arrived in Ireland, this week, earlier in the piece but an Irish win would be no less crucial as Tom Tierney's side chase the 2015 title. Similar to Ireland, the French are in rebuilding mode after the 2014 World Cup. Both sides won their opening games with ease but England's shock defeat to Wales has completely opened up the championship. Ireland and France are first up of all the women's fixtures so a win for either side will see them sitting pretty on Valentine's Day. Kick-off tonight is 7:30pm and all that can't get along to Co. Meath can watch a live stream on the IRFU website. Earlier this week, Irish lock Marie-Louise Reilly offered her thoughts on tonight's encounter and her love of the desserts served up at post-match functions in Ashbourne:

IRELAND WOMEN XV

Backs: Niamh Briggs (c); Aoife Doyle, Jenny Murphy, Katie Fitzhenry, Alison Miller; Nora Stapleton, Larissa Muldoon. Forwards: Ruth O'Reilly, Gillian Bourke, Ailis Egan; Sophie Spence, Marie Louise Reilly; Paula Fitzpatrick, Claire Molloy, Heather O'Brien. Replacements: Sarah Mimnagh, Fiona Hayes, Fiona O'Brien, Orla Fitzsimons, Katie Norris, Tania Rosser, Jackie Shiels, Sene Naoupu.

IRELAND U20s

Nigel Carolan's Under-20s won 47-15 in sleety, muddy, snowy Italy last week and welcome their French counterparts to Athlone this evening [7:05pm kick-off]. Here's what Ireland's Oisín Heffernan and Fergal Cleary has to say for themselves: