France celebrate Elodie Guiglion's score © Getty Images

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France claimed third place in the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup thanks to a 25-18 win over Ireland at Stade Jean-Bouin.

Both sides would have preferred to be playing in the game following their play-off, but France gave their home support something to cheer with a hard-fought win. It was Ireland who started the better of the two sides with fullback Niamh Briggs' sixth minute try and conversion giving them an early 7-0 lead. But France, who enjoyed supremacy both in the scrum and in the lineout, put together a driving lineout, a weapon they have used to great effect throughout the competition, and captain Gaelle Mignot was the player left holding the ball as they darted over the Irish line just six minutes later.

Briggs added a penalty in the 27th minute penalty but in a topsy-turvy game, Jessy Tremouliere's 31st minute try gave France a narrow 12-10 lead. But it was Ireland who went into the break 15-12 ahead with Grace Davitt scoring a lovely chip-and-chase try with Briggs missing the conversion.

It was France who started the second-half in better form with Elodie Guiglion going over soon after the break and after Briggs and Tremouliere exchanged penalties, France had a 20-18 advantage heading into the final 10 minutes of the match. Ireland tried to get themselves into a position where they could win the penalty and hope the metronomic boot of Briggs gave them the lead but it was France who had the final say of the game as Guiglion grabbed her second try to secure the victory and third place.

The earlier game in Paris saw New Zealand finish their campaign on a high note with a 55-5 win over USA. The Black Ferns scored nine tries with Honey Hireme scoring four and Aleisha Nelson, Aroha Savage, Rawinia Everitt, Shakira Baker and Selica Winiata also scoring. Kimber Rozier scored for the USA.

In Marcoussis Australia saw off Wales 23-3, Samoa defeated Kazakhstan 31-0 and Spain beat South Africa 36-0.

Niamh Briggs goes over for Ireland's opening try © IRB

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