After almost a decade in the doldrums, the Ireland women’s rugby side have announced themselves as global contenders again following yesterday’s stunning victory against New Zealand in Vancouver. The women’s game had fallen on hard times in this country when Scott Bemand was appointed head coach in 2023.

THE IRELAND WOMEN’S rugby team have stunned the reigning World Champions New Zealand in their opening game at the WXV1 tournament. There was nothing separating the sides at half-time, as Player of the Match Aoife Wafer grabbed two first-half tries while Neve Jones also crossed over to leave the scoreline reading 17 apiece at the break.

Ireland have now opened up the possibility of winning successive games against different world number two teams, New Zealand on Sunday and Canada this weekend. When coach Scott Bemand was appointed in July 2023, Ireland were ranked a lowly 10th in the world. Things have changed dramatically.