FRANCE enjoyed a double success over Ireland, who can take encouragement from a 66-36 defeat in the second match after being dominated 106-16 in the first.

Over two days at Halle Marcel Cerdan in Perpignan, France sent out a message to their rivals ahead of the World Cup in Australia later this year.

Ireland have proved themselves as the best of the Celtic nations over the past three years, so for them to go down in such a fashion in Saturday’s opener just shows the strength of the 2022 World Cup runners-up, who will be determined to regain that trophy in November.

It was Ireland’s heaviest defeat in four years, since the 121-0 loss to England in the last World Cup as France registered a century for the eighth time in their history.

In what was France’s first match in 20 months, the rout started as early as the fifth minute when Lionel Alazard went over for the first of his four tries. He converted his own try and would go on to kick 16 more in the match as France went into the break 48-10 to the good.

Leo Hivernat led the way for them with four tries in Sunday’s repeat encounter, although that was eclipsed by the five scored by Joe Calcott for Ireland, who led by six points at half-time.

France head coach Cyril Torres said: “We are preparing well for the World Cup. I know that we are ranked behind two strong teams, England and Australia.

“Australia because they are hosting the World Cup and England because they are the holders.

“The French are behind, but we are ready to work on this to have a chance of winning the World Cup.”

Ireland coach Phil Roberts commented: “The whole experience has been priceless.

“The French showed in terms of their skill execution and speed with which they played, the level of intensity and preparation we should be aspiring to.

“We knew we’d be undercooked by comparison, but I was really happy with some of the things we did, some of our scramble defence was good.

“We talked all week about stress testing and what that means and deliberately challenging ourselves. As long as we learn, I leave as a happy coach.

“We’ve got two more camps between now and the World Cup in October to take away the learnings from this.”

FRANCE 106 IRELAND 16

FRANCE: Jermome Siexas, Julien Penella, Damien Dore, Florian Guttadoro, Lionel Alazard. Subs (all used): Nicolas Clausells, Thibauld Dananchy, Dany Denuwaelere

Tries: Alazard (5, 28, 35, 76), Dore (9, 56, 67), Dananchy (22, 30, 38), Clausells (24), Denuwaelere (24, 41), Penella (50, 72), Guttadoro (53, 60), Siexas (69); Goals: Alazard 17/18

IRELAND: Joe Calcott, Cian Horgan, James McCarthy, Toby Burton-Carter, Peter Johnston, Subs (all used): Oran Spain, Tom Martin, Jack Mangan

Tries: Calcott (9), Burton-Carter (20), Horgan (63); Goals: Burton-Carter 0/1 Johnston 2/2

Half-time: 48-10; Referee: David Butler

FRANCE 66 IRELAND 36

FRANCE: Jorge Panzo, Gilles Clausells, Jeremy Bourson, William Drouard, Leo Hivernat. Subs (all used): Adrian Zittel, Jerome Seixas, Damien Dore

Tries: Hivernat (13, 42, 68, 70), Panzo (32), Clausells (37, 53, 63), Zittel (47, 76, 78); Goals: Clausells 5/5, Hivernat 6/7

IRELAND: Cian Horgan, Mel Griffith, Joe Calcott, Tom Martin, Phil Roberts. Subs (all used): Oran Spain, Jack Mangan, Toby Burton-Carter

Tries: Calcott (5, 10, 18, 22, 59), Horgan (28, 57); Goals: Horgan 4/7

Half-time: 20-26; Referee: David Roig