Seven-try Ireland beat Spain to reach last eight

Pool C of the Women’s World Cup

Ireland (24) 43

O’Brien, Costigan, Higgins, McGann, Moore, and Breen O’Brien, 3 attempts.

Spain (12) 27

With a seven-try victory over Spain at Franklin’s Gardens, Ireland made it to the women’s rugby world cup quarter-finals.

Although Scott Bemand’s side had already qualified for the previous World Cup in New Zealand, they were forced to work for the victory against a determined Spanish side.

In a game where the winners didn’t make sure until midway through the second half, Grace Moore and Anna McGann both scored twice for Ireland, but Spain did not manage five scores.

It was a disappointing afternoon for Ireland, who lost co-captain Sam Monaghan to injury in the first half despite their first entry into the knockout phase since 2014.

Dannah O’Brien crossed for her first international try just seven minutes after Ireland’s management team had demanded a second quick start in Franklin’s Gardens.

The 21-year-old fly-half kicked the loose ball past the Spanish backfield, but Amee-Leigh Costigan, a winger, deserved more credit for chasing forward and taking the lead. Ireland worked the ball back inside for O’Brien to cross from there.

O’Brien converted her own score in the opening game of her six-from-six against Japan, but she subsequently missed three conversions and a penalty.

Ireland scored again when they next faced the Spanish 22 after knocking a penalty into the corner and using the maul to gain ground before Costigan went over in the corner.

It appeared as though Ireland had not missed a beat despite making seven changes from its previous victory over Japan.

However, in recent years, Spain have consistently been a difficult opponent, and this was no exception.

Claudia Perez’ forwards’ good work, which allowed her to scamper over in the corner, paid off when she used their maul to set the platform.

Five minutes later, Spain again attacked off the maul, but this time the ball was not required to be released as hooker Marieta Roman slammed across the whitewash and Amalia Argudo’s conversion from the touchline leveled the game.

However, it still needed to be won, especially when Claudia Pena, Spain’s third scorer, scored three minutes after the restart.

Only then did Ireland truly take control of the high-scoring matchup, with Moore coming out on top.

King and Wall both suffered injuries during the Six Nations that caused them to miss the World Cup, which has put the back-row depth of the side greatly on display at this competition.

Wafer’s inclusion in the 2018 World Cup has been a frequently debated subject throughout Northampton’s two weeks, but it was Moore’s replacement that helped Ireland finally take control of the game.

Her pair of tries, which were consistently good lines to match her potent carrying, were separated by 10 minutes and gave Ireland their day’s biggest lead just before the hour mark.

Spain won a try-bonus of their own, and Lourdes Alameda and McGann traded scores when Cristina Blanco scored from an inventive line-out with the final play.

Jones, McCarthy, McGrath, Campbell, Hogan, Lane, Breen, and McGillvray are the replacements.

Spain: Argudo, C. Perez, Pena-Hidalgo, Cano, Piquero, Fernandez de Corres, Silva, Roman, E. Garcia, Alameda, Martinez, Pineiro, Peralta, V. Perez

Replacements: Blanco, Delgado, de Andres, Puig, Castelo, N. Garcia, Vergara, Ducher.