The Women’s XV 1 saw the world’s second-ranked team, Canada, continuing their strong run with a sixth consecutive win, defeating Ireland, 21-8. Despite suffering defeat, the Irish team, coached by Scott Bemand and largely composed of players from UK’s Premiership and France’s Rugby league, exhibited a spirited display. In his conversation with RTÉ, Bemand expressed pride in his team and mentioned some frustration at their failure to capitalise on opportunities, particularly in their opponents’ 22.
The encounter did not leave Ireland without merit; they emerged victorious in the second half 5-0, showing their fighting spirit. Canada, however, proved justified victors, managing to seize three opportunities to score tries to Ireland’s one. They could have enhanced their lead had they demonstrated a tad more patience with the ball in their possession.
The turning point of the match was a 15-minute spell preceding the intermission, chiefly marked by the loss of Irish props Linda Djougang and Niamh O’Dowd to yellow cards, aside from a penalty try. A brief opportunity for Ireland to tackle the deficit came with a penalty booted by Dannah O’Brien. The Canadians, however, managed to score two further tries shortly before halftime. The first came while Ireland was down a player, courtesy of Claire Gallagher. The second try was facilitated by a turnover at ruck by Shoshanah Seumanutafa that allowed Canadian blindside flanker Julia Omokhuale to dash 30 metres unchallenged.
Alex Tessier, a centre player from Canada, skillfully knocked the ball off the tee and managed to achieve both conversions, propelling Canada to a lead of 21-3 by half-time. This seemed unfair to Ireland, who had shown superiority for most of the opening quarter, yet were unable to convert their pressure into points.
From the start, both teams chose to kick for territory. Notably, Erin King of the Irish side intercepted a lineout then won a penalty from a ruck, reducing the Canadian’s early pressure. However, mishaps with several of Ireland’s lineouts meant their performance was undermined.
Player Brittany Hogan demonstrated her signature breakout play. On the opposing side, Stacey Flood tackled Tessier, turned over, squashed a Canadian assault and enabled O’Brien to drive Ireland back into the Canadian half with an expertly executed kick.
Penalties saw Djougang sent off for intentionally downing the ball and O’Dowd dismissed for maul collapse, happening near to the line. A welcome break from Canada’s dominance came from Aoife Wafer, who made a standard charge via defenders before connecting with team captain Enya Breen. O’Brien took the ensuing penalty as Ellis was penalised for not moving off the ball.
Following the interval, Ireland secured the first score thanks to a further impressive run from Wafer, taking on five defenders. Dorothy Wall followed with a contact carry ahead of O’Brien’s flawless cross-kick, caught and landed by Eimear Considine for the match’s final score.
Substitutes Andrea Stock and Deirbhile Nic a Bháird, recovering from an ACL injury, made their first appearances for Ireland. Despite both teams falling foul of too many penalties, significantly around maul transgressions, they were unable to hold pressure long enough to generate and capitalise on try-scoring chances.
Gaining territory for Ireland on a few occasions was Nicole Fowley’s right foot. But Canadians had their strong periods as well, and only Emily Lane’s excellent tackle stopped Laetitia Royer from advancing Canada’s lead.
Ireland will conclude their tournament run with a battle against the USA, taking place the following Friday night at 8.30pm Irish time.
In the 24th minute, a penalty try was awarded, making the score 7-0. By the 32nd minute, O’Brien scored a penalty, revising the score to 7-3. In the next minute, Gallagher scored a try, which Tessier expertly converted, resulting in a 14-3 scoreline. By the 36th minute, Omokhuale had also scored a try which was successfully converted by Tessier, thereby, bringing the half-time score to 21-3. In the 45th minute, Considine scored a try, adjusting the score to 21-8.
Team Canada comprised of players like T Perry, F Bermudez, S Seumanutafa, A Tessier, A Corrigan, C Gallagher, J Pelletier, B Kassil, E Tuttosi, A Ellis, T Beukeboom, who captained the side, C Holtkamp, J Omokhuale, C Crossley, and G Senft. The bench saw replacements like R Wood, who replaced Crossley between the 32nd minute and half-time, L Royer and F Forteza who replaced Beukeboom and Crossley, respectively at half time; O Apps and J Schell replaced Seumanutafa and Perry in the 48th minute; M Hunt took over from Kassil in the 50th minute; K Paquin came on for Omokhuale in the 64th minute; Wood replaced Ellis in the 67th minute and S Cline replaced Tuttosi in the 72nd minute. There was a yellow card given to A Ellis in the 32nd minute.
The Ireland team included S Flood from Railway Union; E Considine from UL Bohemian/Munster; E Higgins from Railway Union; E Breen from Blackrock College/Munster, who also captained the side; A-L Murphy Crowe from Railway Union/Munster; D O’Brien from Old Belvedere/Leinster; E Lane from Blackrock College; N O’Dowd from Old Belvedere/Leinster; C Moloney from Exeter Chiefs; L Djougang from Old Belvedere/Leinster; D Wall from the Exeter Chiefs/Munster; F Tuite from Old Belvedere/Ulster; E King from Old Belvedere; A Wafer from Blackrock College/Leinster, and B Hogan from Old Belvedere/Ulster.
The substitutions on the pitch were as follows: Stock from Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby came in for Considine between 27 and 35 minutes; McCarthy of Gloucester-Hartpury/Munster replaced Tuite from the 27th to the 37th minute. Moloney was swapped with Jones from Gloucester-Hartpury at minute 43. On the 49th minute, Fowley of Galwegians/Connacht & Dalton from Old Belvedere/Leinster entered the game in place of O’Brien and Higgins respectively. Higgins reassumed the game for Flood from 64 to 76 minutes. At the 64th minute, Moore from Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby and Nic a Bháird from Old Belvedere/Munster were substituted for Tuite and Wafer respectively. On the 67th minute, McCarthy came in again, this time for O’Dowd. At the 72nd minute, Djougang was replaced by Stock. Noteworthy, M Scuffil-McCabe from Leinster was not used in the match.
Yellow cards were issued to L Djougang at 25 minutes and N O’Dowd at 31 minutes. The match was officiated by referee A Barrett-Theron hailing from South Africa.