A Stephanie Loyer try and two conversions from Aurélie Bailon completed the scoring for the French while Ireland's points came from three Niamh Briggs penalties.

The home side had the best of the early exchanges and Ireland needed some strong tackling from scrum half Tania Rosser and centre Shannon Houston to keep the French at bay.

But it was the French who got their noses ahead when Horta left Briggs for dead to score left of the posts and Bailon converted.

And Horta was at again shortly after when she picked up a Sandrine Agricole kick ahead to score in the corner but Bailon missed the conversion.

Briggs reduced the arrears with a penalty four minutes before half-time and another well-struck penalty on the interval made it 12-6.

But the French soon stamped their authority on the game again after the break, Bailon missing a penalty before powerful prop Stéphanie Loyer crashed over from close range.

Bailon added that conversion and despite Briggs kicking her third penalty in the 62nd minute the wait goes on for Ireland's first win on the continent.