‘Ireland can still improve despite opening win’

Ireland vs. Spain: Pool C of the Women’s Rugby World Cup

Date: Sunday, August 31; Kick-off: 12:00 BST

After all the build-up and talk of slow starts and injuries, seeing Ireland return to the World Cup stage last weekend was encouraging.

There were many positive aspects to take away from Japan’s performance, especially given that it was a 42-14 victory. The large Irish support enjoyed some memorable moments, the bonus point was secured before half-time, and the tries came early.

Sam Monaghan and Edel McMahon, two returning stars with significant shifts, both contributed to the success. Sam, who had been missing for 13 months, ran herself into the ground for 80 minutes before getting up again.

In other instances, Dannah O’Brien showed great control at fly-half, was flawless from the kick tee, and the scrum developed into the game. Beibhinn Parsons and Amee-Leigh Costigan each scored a try.

A further bonus-point victory on Sunday will set the stage for a promising season, and reaching the quarter-finals would be a significant step in the direction of this team.

After the sacrifices these players have made and the work they have put in to alter the course of this team, it would be gratifying to see their performance back.

Even being on a World Cup pitch last weekend made it clear how significant it was to everyone who has experienced the upheaval of the past four or five years, not just to those playing against Japan.

However, the players and coaches won’t be getting too excited just yet as the excitement around the team is growing. Before the anticipated pool decider against New Zealand in a fortnight, Japan will know there are issues to be resolved before the expected pool winner.

This week’s training will be focused on the line-out. It occasionally provided a strong starting point for attacks on Japan, but it was inconsistent.

Although Japan’s ability to really punish Ireland in this area is lacking, a different story will emerge when the top teams compete. Ireland needs their line-out as an exit tool inside their own 22 because New Zealand, France, and England can be absolutely ruthless in this area.

Ireland’s phase play occasionally lost enough territory, and it will be recognized that gaining just 10 meters in three, four, or five phases will consume too much energy when facing the strongest teams.

It’s always possible to change a successful formula, but Ireland needs to develop depth, so it wouldn’t surprise to see some adjustments for Spain. It is too much to expect nines and 10s to play 80 minutes per week, but Danah O’Brien and Aoibheann Reilly both did well in the half-backs against Japan.

Given that Nicole Fowley hasn’t played in any recent matchday squads, Scott Bemand has two other talented scrum-halves, Emily Lane and Molly Scuffil-McCabe, in case he wants to switch at nine.

It is obvious from their match against New Zealand that Spain are quick and ferocious. It will be a fascinating battle because, like Ireland, their backline is full of Sevens players.

After also falling to the Black Ferns, Spain will be full of rivalries. No one really anticipated them defeating New Zealand, but they will be pushed to prove their point against Ireland.

Ireland will not underestimate them. With a win in each of the two 2021 World Cup qualifiers, Ireland should not be reminded of how competitive Spain can be in big games. Both the 2023 WXV3 game and the qualifier both went down to the wire.

Finally, let’s talk about the tournament as a whole, and why this World Cup is so popular.

With 42, 723 fans, England’s victory over the United States established a new record for women’s rugby world cup attendance. Given their modest funding, England showed why they are tournament favorites while Canada maintained their outstanding form. This is even more impressive.

I have reservations about France, even though they are not lacking in world-class talent in their win over Italy. In the same way that England and Canada left a negative impression of New Zealand, but I anticipate that they will continue to advance into the tournament and reach their peak, perhaps unforeseeably for the Irish.