IRELAND’S WOMEN’S RUGBY World Cup game against France last night was watched by more than three million people on French television, breaking the record viewing figures for a women’s international.

The Pool C decider at UCD’s Belfield Bowl was shown live on France2 and attracted an average audience of 2.4 million, with 3.1 million tuning in towards the end of the 21-5 victory for Les Blues.

It smashed the previous record which was a peak of 2.5 million during France’s semi-final against Canada at the 2014 World Cup.

RTÉ have not yet released the viewing figures from their coverage but the national broadcaster said 322,000 people watched Ireland’s second pool outing against Japan last weekend.

Defeat for Tom Tierney’s side ended their World Cup hopes with France advancing to the semi-finals where they’ll meet England at Kingspan Stadium on Tuesday night.

Ireland will lock horns with pool rivals Australia again in the fifth place playoff semi-final at 2pm.

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