France kept their Grand Slam hopes alive with a hard-fought 26-7 victory over Ireland in Clermont. The hosts trailed 7-7 at half-time after Cliodhna Maloney-MacDonald's try, but Carla Arbez's converted score shortly after the break proved the turning point. Ireland had three tries chalked off by the TMO in a pulsating opening 40 minutes.

Ireland came into this match seeking their first win on French soil since 2017 and their first victory over France since 2018. Their players had been vocal about wanting revenge for October's Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat, with Aoife Wafer declaring they "owed" France one. However, France's quality told in the second half as Anais Grando crossed for her fourth try of the tournament and Lea Champon added another to secure the bonus point.

The result leaves France on track for a final-day showdown with England, the all-conquering Red Roses. Ireland will look to bounce back against Wales in Belfast after this defeat, having now lost nine consecutive matches to France. France will visit Scotland next before returning to face England in what promises to be a title-decider.