Ireland 'a better team' after record loss to England

Bemand says Ireland are "further down the road" than they were when they lost 88-10 to England

Guinness Women's Six Nations: Ireland v England

Venue: Virgin Media Park, Cork Date: Saturday, 12 April Kick-off: 16:45 BST

Coverage: Watch live on BBC Two, iPlayer and online, listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, live text and video highlights on BBC Sport website and app.

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand says his side are determined to show how much they have improved since last year's crushing Women's Six Nations defeat by England.

Ireland face the Red Roses this weekend.

England scored 14 tries in a record 88-10 win over the Irish at Twickenham 12 months ago on their way to a third successive Grand Slam and sixth straight title.

But Ireland have since recorded impressive victories over Australia and New Zealand and approach Saturday's Women's Six Nations encounter in Cork off the back of a convincing 54-12 win over Italy in Parma.

"We have spoken around and acknowledged last year and the performance and occasion, but we're not playing that occasion now," said Bemand, who won five Six Nations titles and four Grand Slams in eight years as England attack coach.

"We're a better team than we were."

He added: There's no perfect rugby team in the world and the Red Roses are no different. We know we can get pressure on them.

"We know there's a challenge to stand up to and if we can get enough moments, we can keep the scoreboard ticking."

Having lost to France in their opening match in Belfast, Ireland rebounded in impressive style in Parma with Anna McGann scoring three of her side's eight tries.

It was Ireland's first away Six Nations win since 2021 but world number one England represent a much stiffer challenge.

"We all know what happened last year. We're an honest group and happy to talk about it but we feel we've moved our game on," said Bemand.

"With the result last week and managing to keep the scoreboard ticking and get to 50 [points], which we haven't done in recent times, hopefully that's showing that confidence in the group is growing.

"We're further down the road than we were last year and I think we can fire some shots this weekend."

Bemand, who has been Ireland boss since 2023, said the side do not have any fresh injury concerns for the England game but added Saturday will come too soon for Beibhinn Parsons.

The 23-year-old missed the France and Italy games after suffering a second leg break in the space of five months while on Sevens duty in December.

Bemand said Parsons is "not back in the circle for selection just yet but it's coming quickly".