Dalton: We Just Want To Keep Pushing On

Aoife Dalton says the Ireland squad are excited to have back-to-back home matches to close out the Guinness Women’s Six Nations, as they lick their wounds and regroup following Saturday night’s 26-7 defeat to France.

Dalton and her team-mates were left with a deflating feeling after three unanswered second-half tries from Carla Arbez, Anaïs Grando, and Léa Champon saw France win what has to be regarded as the game of the 2026 Championship so far.

Similar to the Rugby World Cup quarter-final from last September, Ireland had the better of the first half in Clermont-Ferrand – with their pack continually punching holes, most notably Aoife Wafer – but did not have the points to show for it.

They will look back at what might have been having had three tries disallowed following TMO reviews, during a largely dominant 20-minute period which included breaks from recent debutant Robyn O’Connor and Dorothy Wall.

Brittany Hogan was penalised for a double movement, missing out on an early try while Pauline Barrat was in the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on as Scott Bemand’s side immediately got on the front foot.

Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald did open the scoring in the 11th minute, but other scores slipped through their grasp when Fiona Tuite was held up by Grando, and an Emily Lane knock-on ruled out a second Moloney-MacDonald effort. Hogan was also held up before the hooker’s maul try.

“We just couldn’t convert in the first half,” admitted centre Dalton afterwards. “Even if we had got one of those scores, it would have been 12 or 14-7 going in at half-time and it’s a different game then.

“We knew what we were coming up against today. We definitely didn’t, just because of the result the last day (against Italy), expect to come here and put out a performance and win.

“It takes a lot to beat France in France. Yeah, just disappointed that we couldn’t convert in the first half. Full credit to France though, they came out in the second half – as we knew they would – and they really just got their big runners up and going and they were just hard to stop.”

The frustration of France getting away from them, as they turned a seven-all scoreline into a 19-point victory by the finish, should not take away from what was another impressive performance from the girls in green, building on elements of the opening two weeks.

A measure of how well they played was the sight of the remaining French supporters, who had stayed behind, standing up to applaud the Irish players as they did a lap of the pitch to thank the travelling support. They recognised that les Bleues had to raise their game significantly to get the result.

Despite the final outcome, Dalton will look back with pride on her latest appearance for her country. Performance-wise it was another step in the right direction for Bemand’s young charges, who look a lot more confident and developed compared to the team that lost 38-17 in Le Mans two years ago.

“We’re in a position now where we just want to keep pushing on, and we’ll keep putting in better and better performances against these top tier nations.

“We know if we just keep knocking on the door eventually we’ll get our foot in it. We just have to keep going, and learn fast from this because it’s just the nature, we can’t really afford to just sit back and feel sorry for ourselves.

“There’s positives to take. If you look at us and France two years ago, it was a very different story. We have to move on, and especially with the two home games coming up. We won’t underestimate Wales or Scotland by any means.

“It’s important for us to get these two wins at home because the last two years we’ve come third but we’ve only gotten two wins (both times). So, definitely targeting those two home games.”

The Clara youngster, who turns 23 on Sunday, continued: “We have a great group and we’re very grounded as well. Like, we’ll have our review. You don’t really have a choice, it’s just the nature of high performance, like you just have to move on and learn quick.

“We’ve two home games coming up now, Wales and Scotland, and we’ll have to bring our best to beat them in Belfast and Dublin. We’re excited for that.”

Playing at the intensity of last weekend’s match more regularly, and in front of such partizan crowds, will only accelerate Ireland’s development as they continue to snap at the heels of world’s top four. It has certainly whetted Dalton’s appetite for more, with the Offaly native a real fulcrum of the Irish back-line.

The Wolfhounds’ Celtic Challenge title-winning captain this year, she has been virtually ever-present for Ireland since making a try-scoring international debut during the 2022 tour to Japan.

She has started 14 of their last 15 Tests, going back to the 2024 WXV1 campaign. She has been paired in midfield with Eve Higgins mostly, but also Enya Breen, and Nancy McGillivray of late. During her first Six Nations in 2023, her centre partners included Vicky Irwin and current winger Anna McGann.

Having passed the 30-cap mark now, and with a first World Cup under her belt, Dalton spoke about what Ireland need to do to get closer to sides like France and what a great atmosphere the 17,000 fans in Clermont created for them to play in.

“I think just any time you play the top tier nations, it just comes down to fine margins. If you take this game, we needed scores in the first half. We were camped in their 22 and we just didn’t get it.

“There are positives to take, but I think in terms of how we get a performance, I suppose we always say you’re not going to win every moment but it is the moments you can win. Just taking whatever advantage you can from them.

“In fairness to the French crowd, they’re amazing. It felt like there was another 77,000 in there. As I said, it takes a lot to come over here and beat France in France.

“We don’t let the occasion get to us, we just try to focus on ourselves and stuff. No, the French crowd are brilliant, and they always make it a fantastic occasion when we play over here,” she added.