'A' international:  Ireland A's first outing of the season ended in defeat in chilly Limoges tonight as two first-half tries set France A on their way to a 20-12 victory.

Michael Bradley’s side put in a brave display, sticking to their hosts like glue despite French early dominance.

France, 15-9 losers to the Irish in Donnybrook last year, struck two crucial blows on 15 and 37 minutes when number eight Imanol Harinordoquy and hooker Benjamin Kayser each crossed the visitors’ line.

A loss of form for Harinordoquy has seen him out of the loop of Bernard Laporte’s Les Bleus for close on a year and the 25-year-old has not started a Test match since the 45-6 thumping France took from the All Blacks in November 2004.

He put in an eye-catching performance at Stade Beaublanc tonight, though.  The French back row nullified the threat of Irish trio Neil Best, Shane Jennings and Jamie Heaslip.

There was a lot of rustiness about the Irish effort, but Bradley’s team never gave up the chase despite the frustrating eight-point gap.

After Stade Francais outhalf David Skrela had booted an early penalty, France went through the phases to send Harinordoquy over from five metres out. Skrela’s conversion was cancelled out by a Jeremy Staunton penalty.

The Irish pack, led by captain Mick O’Driscoll, then went close - on two occasions - to breaking their side’s try deadlock.

Wasps outhalf Staunton added a second penalty, but the hosts went 17-6 up just before the break.

Kayser’s try had a bit of good fortune about it.

Full-back Benjamin Thierry’s clearance kick looked to have bounced out on the full, but the Irish were forced to defend a line-out in their own 22. They lost the throw; the ball was recycled and Kayser ploughed over.

The second half was little more than a penalty duel - Staunton edged it, kicking two to a single effort from Skrela - and while both sides had spells of dominance, the stalemate suited the hosts.