IRELAND’S LEAP FORWARD
Bemand’s side secure World Cup spot with gutsy victory over Scotland
FROM a Wooden Spoon to the World Cup, this has been some turnaround on Scott Bemand’s watch.
The scenes of delirium after the final whistle told the story. Never has third place in the Six Nations been celebrated with such gusto. And with good reason, too.
Because this team was at the lowest of ebbs when Bemand, the ex-England attack coach, came on board last year. The former Leicester and Bath scrum-half arrived here with a big reputation and he has over-delivered after barely a year in this gig.
Rewind 12 months and Ireland had finished at the basement the Six Nations standings for the first time since 2004. Not too long ago, Ireland were keeping company with the likes of Kazakhstan and Colombia in the WXV3 tournament.
This gutsy and hard-fought win in Belfast not only sealed Ireland’s best finish in the championship since 2020, it secured their passage into next year’s World Cup in England.
Of course, big improvements are needed across the board if Bemand’s young squad are going to make any impact at the global showpiece in 15 months’ time. For now though, they can bask in a campaign which was unquestionably a huge step forward for the long-suffering national team. For the veterans who were on duty in Parma three years ago when Ireland’s World Cup qualification hopes went up in smoke, this was a huge moment.
No shortage of players stood up in a big way. Brittany Hogan led the charge with an inspirational display at No8, while Niamh O’Dowd and Cliodhna Moloney delivered brilliant second-half cameos to help turn the tide.
Ireland knew exactly what was needed before kick-off. Sisilia Tuipulotu’s late try at Principality Stadium had secured the Welsh a last-gasp win against Italy.
It simplified things in Belfast. No permutations. No chasing bonus points or differentials. A win against the Scots would seal third place in the table and all the rewards mentioned earlier.
There was no shortage of energy, commitment and ambition from the hosts. Not for the first time in this championship, they lacked a clinical edge. Indeed, the players would have taken a glance at the scoreboard as they made their way off the field at the break and wondered how they were 5-0 in arrears?
In a mirror image of their game against the Italians at the RDS in the second round, handling errors were a worryingly familiar theme. And an unreliable lineout. Poor decision making as well.
Every time this team got themselves into a strong position, they spilled the ball or a pass didn’t meet its intended target.
Individually, all the usual suspects were fronting up. Neve
Jones, as ever, was scything down big Scottish forwards around every corner. Linda Djougang, Sam Monaghan and Aoife Wafer were carrying plenty of ball. Scrum-half Aoibheann Reilly fizzed with energy.
When Beibhinn Parsons got her hands on the ball, the decibel levels went up a notch.
In the midst of all of the Irish profligacy with ball in hand, Scotland nabbed a try with pretty much their only first-half raid into Irish territory. A powerful lineout drive yielding a try for hooker Ellis Martin.
The visitors spent most of the opening 40 minutes on the back foot but Bemand’s side were met with a navy-clad wall around every corner.
When Hogan, making yet another carry into the Scottish defence, was choke tackled by Scotland No8 Evie Gallagher, it felt like a big moment in the contest.
When Ireland turned down an easy three points and then made a mess of yet another lineout, you wondered if was going to be one of those days.
Whatever was said at the break certainly did the trick. Soon, Hogan was breaking the line and Katie Corrigan was on her shoulder to put on the after burners and score down the right touchline. Passes were sticking.
But the visitors then landed what seemed like a killer blow when Lisa Thomson raced through a yawning gap in the Irish defence for Scotland’s second try. Helen Nelson’s conversion nudging the Scots into a 12-5 lead.
But Ireland continued to fight, with Reilly sending Scotland lock Emma Wassell trundling back with a huge tackle. Wafer followed up with a turnover and soon Moloney was being mauled over the line. When O’Brien sent the touchline conversion through the posts, the noise was deafening.
At 12-12, this was anyone’s game. After Wafer and Moloney had made more inroads, the Scots infringed again and O’Brien pointed to the posts. And the Ireland out-half fired over the penalty to put Ireland in front for the first time with six minutes remaining.
Cue a nail-biting finish which featured a late yellow card for Parsons. But the hosts would hold on for a stirring win in front of another record crowd.
Finally, a good news story for the women’s game in the country. They have something exciting to build towards next year now. No doubt, all the young kids in attendance were inspired by this display. That will be the real legacy of this victory. It’s been some turnaround, indeed.