Image source, Getty Images

Ireland put up a brilliant fight and pushed France all the way at the Kingspan Stadium. However, it was not to be for Scott Bemond's side but they will take plenty of positives into next Sunday's trip to Italy.

Later today, Scotland host Wales in Edinburgh at 4:30pm while champions England host Italy tomorrow afternoon at 3pm to finish off round one of the 2025 Guinness Women's Six Nations. Both of those games are live on BBC Two as is Ireland's game a week tomorrow.

You can read Jonathan Bradley's report from the Six Nations opener here but from us, it's goodbye for now.

Thanks for following along this afternoon.

Here's a very, very early look at the Six Nations table.

Plenty of rugby still to come.

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Ireland head coach Scott Bemand on BBC iPlayer: "I think we're trying to rewrite the narrative. We're disappointed and we feel we let a result get away from us. We didn't control territory and that put us under pressure. We feel it's a result we could have had.

"France are a very good team and we gave them too many soft entries early in the game. But there's a streak of resilience in this group, we got a score back and there's huge credit to what the forwards are doing. We're making line breaks, but we have just got to execute when we really need to.

"We want to be able to say we can beat these teams, World Cup contenders. We can't say that yet, but we're getting closer".

Ireland captain Edel McMahon on BBC iPlayer: "There is frustration because we did let it slip away at times. I'm proud of where we had come from, we were hard to beat and firing shots. We're on the right trajectory. The girls have been working really hard.

A big thank you to the crowd here in Belfast because we could hear them from start to finish."

Claire Small
Ireland international on BBC iPlayer

We got to see glimpses of what Ireland can do, but they didn't capitalise on things. There were unforced errors and you can't do that against big teams like France.

Lindsay Peat
Former Ireland forward on BBC iPlayer

They had France on the ropes and they let them off the hook.

Lindsay Peat
Former Ireland forward on BBC iPlayer

If I was to sum it up in two words, it would be: Missed opportunity.

Ciara Griffin
Former Ireland captain on BBC iPlayer

Ireland fired some real shots and it was a massive step up from other years, where it was a constant French wave. Ireland dominated at times but France executed their chances and were more clinical.

France just outlast Ireland at the Kingspan Stadium as their efficiency is the difference between the sides. Both teams scored three tries but, not only was Morgane Bourgeois perfect off the tee, France's handling was euperior and they were more clinical.

However, there are plenty of positives for Ireland to take into next week's trip to Italy. They took the physicality to France and their maul was superb.

On to next week for Scott Bemand's side.

Image source, Getty Images

Ciara Griffin
Former Ireland captain on BBC iPlayer

Ireland got tight around the ruck and that created the gap for Boulard.

A big three points from the France full back who has been perfect off the tee today. After Aoife Dalton is pinged for being in front of the kicker, Bourgeois nails the kick from almost 40 metres.

That means a drop goal or a penalty will no longer be enough for Ireland. That could be massive with six minutes left.

The visitors are penalised for a dangerous tackle on their own 22 straight in front of the posts but, despite the easy three points available, Dannah O'Brien goes to the corner...

Ireland concede a penalty at the lineout for crossing and Carla Arbez sends the penalty into the Irish 22 to release the pressure valve slightly.

Ireland turn France around with a lovely running move but Anna McGann just can't pick up the grubber kick into the corner.

France survive that spell of Irish pressure but Scott Bemand will be pleased with what he is seeing.

Here comes the bomb squad! Four subs enter the game as Neve Jones, Dorothy Wall, Brittany Hogan and Emily Lane are replaced by Cliodhna Moloney, Fiona Tuite, Edel McMahon and Aoibheann Reilly.

Ciara Griffin
Former Ireland captain on BBC iPlayer

It's become very scrappy.

A big boost for Ireland as Hollie Davidson calls the captains over to inform them that Gabrielle Vernier will not be returning after the bunker review.

The yellow has been upgraded to a red and Ireland will have a player advantage for the last half an hour.

Eve Higgins returns from her HIA as Enya Breen exits after a very useful cameo.

A bit of a stoppage as France second row Madoussou Fall gets some treatment on her ankle.

What a game Aoife Wafer is having by the way! As well as her try, the number eight has made eight carries for 40 metres and made ten tackles. Hugely influential.