Players ‘put their hands up’ for World Cup – Bemand

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand says he has not yet finalised his squad for the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

After a comeback win over Scotland last week, Ireland were beaten by Canada in their final warm-up match before the tournament, which starts in England in two weeks’ time.

But after a strong second-half performance against the side ranked number two in the world, Bemand said he was “delighted” that players are still fighting for a place in the final 32-player squad that will be announced on Monday.

“There’s a lot of girls that put their hands up, which is really pleasing,” Bemand told BBC Sport NI.

“The girls are actually getting used to performing with that pressure. It’s the nature of what we do. In elite sport, there’s always a selection.

“You’re always competing, and I think over the last two years we’ve certainly got better in that space.”

Ireland have already lost influential forwards Erin King and Dorothy Wall to injury for the World Cup, while Aoife Wafer did not feature in either warm-up fixture.

Bemand, though, is pleased with the depth that has built in his panel.

“As that second half showed, we’ve got more than just a 15 – we’ve got a squad and people that can come on and make differences to a game,” he added.

Ireland face Japan in their opening World Cup fixture in Northampton on Sunday, 24 August.

They will then have further Pool C games against Spain and reigning champions New Zealand as they look to progress to the knockout phase.

Despite having just two warm-up games in the lead-up to the tournament, Bemand refuted suggestions that Ireland will not be match-sharp for the Japan game.

“I don’t think we’re undercooked. I think we’re right. I think we’ve come out relatively well, physically,” said Bemand, who previously worked as an assistant coach with England.

“If you look at it, we’re about to go into a competition that’s six weeks long if we get to the end so we’re going to need our group, we’re going to need fit and fresh bodies that are ready and prepared to play, so the more you take out yourself now, you’ve got to use competition to build as well.