Sports Editor Oisín Gaffey breaks down the 2024 Women’s Six Nations, as new Head Coach Scott Bemand looks to build from an impressive WXV3 tournament in October 2023.
After a disastrous 2023 Six Nations Campaign, the Irish Women’s Rugby Team have been back in action this Spring, and it’s safe to say that this year’s tournament is going much better so far. Here is a recap of the tournament’s first four rounds.
Round 1: Ireland vs France
Ireland kickstarted their 2024 Six Nations campaign with a difficult away trip to Le Mans where they faced a strong French side. It was a difficult start for the Girls in Green, playing their first Six Nations game under new head coach Scott Bemand. Despite trailing 31-3 at one stage, Ireland fought back well late in the game, scoring two tries through Aoife Wafer and Aoife Dalton to put some gloss on the scoreboard.
Despite the heavy 38-17 loss, there were definite signs of improvement in the performance and character of the team. It was also an improvement from the 53-3 hammering they suffered in this fixture last year.
Despite the heavy 38-17 loss, there were definite signs of improvement in the performance and character of the team.
Round 2: Ireland vs Italy
One week later, the Italians rocked into Dublin and, after an encouraging performance from Ireland against the French, the Irish fans sensed an opportunity to win in the RDS. Ireland got off to a great start as they were awarded a penalty try in the sixth minute, following a deliberate knock-on from Italy’s Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi to deny Beibhinn Parsons a clear run to the line.
However, the Azzure fought back well to score twice before half time through Vittoria Vecchini and Valeria Fedrighi to establish a 15-7 lead at the break. A Neve Jones try, sandwiched by scores from Vecchini and Aura Muzzo, was enough to draw Ireland close, and after a 78th minute intercept-try from Katie Corrigan the prospect of a win was very much on the table.
Irish hearts sank in the 82nd minute however, as a late surge from Ireland was undone by a crucial turnover from Italy’s Beatrice Veronese, allowing her side to kick the ball to touch to draw the game to its end. The 6,000 fans inside the RDS had dared to dream, but were crushed by this late defensive brilliance and the game finished Ireland 21-27 Italy.
The 6,000 fans inside the RDS had dared to dream, but were crushed by this late defensive brilliance.
Round 3: Ireland vs Wales
Ireland secured their first win under new head coach Scott Bemand when they thrashed Wales 36-5 in Cork in Round 3 of this year’s Six Nations. Bemand’s side, co-captained by the relentless Edel McMahon and Sam Monaghan, cruised to a 21-point lead inside just half an hour thanks to tries from Aoife Wafer, Eve Higgins and Neve Jones and three excellent conversions from Dannah O’Brien.
Ireland secured their first win under new head coach Scott Bemand when they thrashed Wales 36-5 in Cork in Round 3 of this year’s Six Nations.
Second-half tries from Katie Corrigan and Beibhinn Parsons, as well as a penalty kick from O’Brien saw Ireland take a 36-0 lead in the game, until Wales would get one score back in the 65th minute through Gwennan Hopkins. It was a mere consolation score from the visitors, as the win was already secured by this point.
In what was undoubtedly their best performance in recent years, Ireland produced a spirited performance in front of home fans in Musgrave Park, Co. Cork. Cliodhna Moloney made her return to the Ireland match-day squad following a three-year absence, whilst Aoife Wafer had arguably her best ever performance as she helped her side record their first win since April 2022.
Round 4: Ireland vs England
The less said about this game, the better. Ireland slumped to an 88-10 defeat at the hands of the Red Roses on Saturday afternoon in Twickenham. England scored 14 tries against England on the weekend, and dominated the majority of the game.
The less said about this game, the better.
After the excellence of last week’s win over Wales, this result was a stark reminder of the gulf between these two sides. England are two-time World Cup Champions and are six-time runners up, whilst Ireland failed to qualify for the last World Cup, their best finishing position being 4th, back in 2017.
I can’t imagine Scott Bemand and his coaching staff will dwell on this result too much, it will surely be a case of parking the result and looking ahead to the final game against Scotland on Saturday 27th April at 2:30pm in Belfast.
Off the pitch, the issue of ticket sales and marketing seem to be an issue for the women’s team. It was confirmed on December 1st 2023 that Ireland would face Italy in the RDS on March 31st at 3pm, yet tickets for the game only went on sale to the general public on Tuesday 26th March. This 5-day turnaround is simply unacceptable and inexcusable considering the early venue announcement.
The IRFU needs to improve on this matter if they are serious about wanting to grow the women’s game in Ireland.