France claim European crown

France clinched the title of European champions after completing a 34-16 win over Ireland at Thomond Park.

France clinched the title of European champions after completing their autumn international series with a 34-16 win over Ireland at Thomond Park. Ireland winger Joe Taylor delighted the crowd, who were watching the first ever rugby league match at the venue, with a hat-trick of tries. But France finished strongly to secure a victory that will provide them with some consolation for missing out on the 2011 Four Nations Series. Ireland led 8-6 at half-time and sensed a first win against the French and a first victory for new coach Mark Aston when they increased their lead to 12-6 early in the second half. And they were still ahead with 15 minutes to go before hooker Kane Bentley completed his hat-trick for the visitors, who finally ended the brave Irish challenge.