'I'm gutted for her' - Bemand on Monaghan injury

Monaghan is set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand says he is "gutted" for co-captain Sam Monaghan, who has been ruled out of the upcoming Test against Australia and the WXV1 campaign.

Second row Monaghan suffered a "significant knee injury" while playing for her club Gloucester-Hartpury during the Premiership Women's Rugby final in June.

While expressing his disappointment that Monaghan will be ruled out, Bemand admits it gives others the opportunity to fill the void left by the 31-year-old.

"I’m gutted for her after what she did for my tenure here, she assumed the captaincy role and led on and off the pitch," Bemand said.

"Injuries happen but what it does do is give someone the space to step into and own it.

"Going into a World Cup we will need a really strong squad and now comes the opportunity to develop more depth."

Monaghan joins the likes of Beibhinn Parsons, Aoibheann Reilly, Natasja Behan, Katie Corrigan and Sadhbh McGrath in the treatment room.

Bemand is boosted, however, by the return of Olympians Stacey Flood, Eve Higgins, Emily Lane and Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, all of whom featured in Ireland's sevens campaign at the recent Paris Games.

Forward Erin King, another Sevens international, is one of 10 uncapped players in Bemand's 35-strong panel.

Ireland face Australia at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast on Saturday and Bemand conceded that there are "some bumps and bruises" after the finals of the Women's Interprovincial Championship at the weekend, but no further injuries to report.

"It was nice to see some really competitive rugby [in the interpros], the levels of physicality last weekend probably stepped up a bit which kept us on our toes when we’re getting ready for a competition.

"We'll see where we're at this week, but hopefully nothing too serious for anyone."

'We have a brilliant blend'

Leinster's O'Connor is one of 10 uncapped players in the squad

After the Australia game Bemand will trim his squad to 30 players before travelling to Vancouver for their WXV1 campaign in which they will face New Zealand (30 September), Canada (5 October) and the USA (11 October).

The 45-year-old believes that he has selected a squad packed with a good mix of both youth and experience.

"We have a brilliant blend, some experience, some returning experience with the likes of Eimear Considine, it was a couple of years since she’s been capped but she’s been doing well for Munster," he explained.

"We have some youngsters coming through the centralised programme we have had Hannah Clarke and Robyn O’Connor in for a bit and they’re shaping up great and keeping the more experienced girls on their toes.

"How we use the interpros and manage the girls coming in from the UK, it creates an opportunity for us now where the girls can get knuckle down and compete for a place."