Ireland return to World Cup with ‘one of our best performances’

Eight years was, at least for Ireland, worth the wait.

The gap between World Cup appearances for women’s rugby in Ireland included concerns about facilities and playing conditions, as well as the agonizing effects of a shocking elimination in 2021.

However, Scott Bemand’s reconstruction over the past two years has been impressive and perhaps more quickly than many had anticipated.

The Six Nations had a confidence-boosting performance last year, and New Zealand and Australia had a strong year.

And when Ireland made it back to its biggest stage on Sunday, they delivered in style against Japan.

“I’m so proud of each and every one of them,” said injured Ireland back rower Dorothy Wall. “It was amazing.

“One of the best efforts we’ve probably made as a team,” the team said.

We carried out a strong game from start to finish, and I’m so proud of the entire team.

After a difficult few years, Ireland had “turned it around,” according to former Ireland international Anna Caplice, a BBC Sport pundit.

She said, “Japan are not to be messed up with.”

Given that only one player from the squad, replacement hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, had participated in the World Cup, Ireland’s performance in Northampton was even more impressive.

The 15 players who started the game had a new experience, but they didn’t show any nerves.

Beibhinn Parsons and Fiona Tuite added the bonus point just before half-time, while Amee-Leigh Costigan and Neve Jones crossed in the opening ten minutes.

Enya Breen completed the victory with a score of 1-0 in the opening minute of the second half despite Japan’s early attack. Eve Higgins, who was superb in Northampton, then turned the tables back on Ireland with her intercept score.

Ireland were directed by flyhalf Dannah O’Brien, who is only 21 years old, with precision and skill.

Irish co-captain Edel McMahon said, “This morning, there was a nice cool, calm, and collected energy.”

The energy was positive, they said. Most of the squad, including the first one, were playing in the World Cup, but it didn’t feel like it.

They took it in their stride because of the youngsters’ calmness.

Although Ireland’s recent recovery had been well known, questions had been raised about the depth of the squad as a result of the absences of star players Aoife Wafer and Dorothy Wall.

Due to a number of injuries, Parsons’ minutes had been slowed down, and Sam Monaghan and McMahon’s minutes had also been hampered by injuries over the past year.

McMahon added, “Over the past two years, girls have entered and left the squad.”

The 23 players are not the only ones on the field. The girls are the ones who aren’t present, as well as the ones who are watching.

Former Ireland player and BBC pundit Anna Caplice responded, “I couldn’t agree more,” when asked if they were progressing more quickly than expected, especially given the injuries.

There was a lot of talk about the injuries and the people who didn’t get to the World Cup, and there was also the question, “Will they be able to produce what we saw?” ‘. But that was what we witnessed.

But because of the girls who have been like “forget that underdog status,” they are performing like this in one to 23 to 30 to 40, which includes Doro Wall, Erin King, and Aoife Wafer.

Next Sunday will Ireland play Spain in their second World Cup match. With a shock victory over Ireland, Las Leonas ended the country’s hopes for a World Cup in 2021.

Ireland had already experienced a rock bottom, but they now have a chance to erase those memories and advance to the quarterfinals.