France overturned a 13-point half-time deficit to beat Ireland 18-13 in a thrilling Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Exeter on Sunday.

Les Bleues, from 13-0 down at the break after playing into a strong wind, scored 18 unanswered points at a rainswept Sandy Park as they made it nine wins in a row against Ireland.

France were behind until 13 minutes from time when Joanna Grisez sprinted the length of a field for a superb try to nudge France, fourth in the world rankings to Ireland's fifth place, into a 15-13 lead.

Morgane Bourgeois then extended France's advantage to five points with a penalty four minutes from time to leave Ireland needing a try to draw level and an ensuing conversion to snatch victory.

But France, who received three yellow cards during the match, clung on with 14 players on the field, defending a line-out close to their own line as Ireland lost possession with the final play of the game.

Les Bleues will face the winners of Sunday's other quarter-final between favourites England, the tournament hosts, and Scotland in a last-four clash in Bristol on Saturday.

"The first half was really tough with the wind and everything," said France No 8 Charlotte Escudero, the player of the match.

"But second half we did some amazing plays and we won and we're so happy," added Escudero, who scored the first of France's two tries.

- Ireland 'just sad' -

Ireland, who didn't even qualify for the last World Cup, in 2022, were left to think of what might have been.

"We're just sad," Ireland centre Eve Higgins told the BBC.

"We came very close to a semi-final. That was the goal. We had moments where we knew we could have scored the points that would have been be enough."

RTL

Ireland prop Linda Djougang runs with the ball during a Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France in Exeter / © AFP

Ireland took just six minutes to open the scoring when prop Linda Djougang powered over for a try from close range.

Dannah O'Brien was off target with the conversion but Ireland were boosted by a yellow card for France's Rose Bernadou.

And Ireland doubled their lead in the 24th minute when, after the returning Aoife Wafer went close, full-back Stacey Flood crossed France's line.

O'Brien's conversion drifted wide again but the fly-half did land a 38th-minute penalty to extend Ireland's lead to 13-0.

France captain Manae Feleu was sin-binned on the stroke of half-time after the lock pulled down a maul.

But Ireland, despite being encamped on Les Bleues' line and taking the ball through 35 phases, were denied a try by superb defence before they eventually lost the ball in contact as France, the seven-time World Cup bronze medallists, stayed in touch.

It was a key moment in the game and France eventually got on the scoreboard through a Bourgeois penalty early in the second half.

Ireland were reduced to 14 players when Grace Moore was yellow-carded for a head-high tackle in the 59th minute.

Moments later, France put the ball through the hands and Escudero went through a gap in the depleted Ireland defence for a well-taken try.

Bourgeois landed an excellent conversion in the conditions, with Ireland now leading 13-10 heading into the final quarter.

Ireland were pressing for what could have been a decisive try, deep into French territory, when they lost possession and a superb counter-attack saw Les Bleues take the lead for the first time in the 67th minute with a brilliant length of the field try from right wing Grisez.

Bourgeois was unable to convert on this occasion but still kicked eight precious points in total.