Women's Rugby: The French women's team look certain to retain their Grand Slam title as they completed an impressive 34-0 victory over Ireland yesterday.

Their talented number eight Dephine Plantet got the first three tries, with Fanny Gelis and Catherine De Villiers adding another two. Captain Estelle Sartini kicked three conversions and a penalty.

It wasn't all negatives for Ireland, with strong performances from Joy Neville at number eight and Joanne O'Sullivan in the centre giving hope for the clash with Wales in Cardiff on Friday night.

IRELAND: N Ní Chadhain; L Cantwell, J O'Sullivan, P Kelly, G Davitt; S Belton (capt), T Rosser; F Coughlan, J Lonergan, E Coen, R Foley, G Healy, O Brennan, R Tucker, J Neville. Replacements: J Leacy for Brennan (55 mins), R Boyd for R Tucker (55 mins), L Beamish for T Rosser (80 mins).