Irish Rugby

Lauren McCann
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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Ireland wing Anna McGann says "anything is possible" for her side against New Zealand but that they need to be "more clinical".

Scott Bemand's side will meet the World Cup holders in their final Pool C game on Sunday, with the winners of that game securing top spot and potentially a kinder quarter-final draw.

And while McGann is confident they can shock New Zealand, she knows Ireland will have to improve upon their display in their 43-27 win against Spain.

"Yeah definitely [Ireland can win], we didn't just come here to show up, we came here to compete, and we want to be in that grand final in London, so anything is possible," she told BBC Sport NI.

"We need to hold onto the ball and be more clinical in the contact zone. We were disappointed in ourselves at times [against Spain]. There were a lot of momentum shifts and I think we could make it easier for ourselves."

McGann scored two of Ireland's seven tries against Spain in Northampton but credited the work of the forwards in allowing her to get over the line twice.

"They were only me dropping them down over the line after the forwards did their work, but I think if you look at that and Amee-Leigh [Costigan] on the other wing as well, it shows how dangerous we can be."

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Prop Ellena Perry says Spain pushed Ireland "right to the end" in her side's 43-27 win at Franklin's Gardens.

A seven-try victory sent Ireland into the Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2014 after a tough test in Northampton.

Perry, named player of the match on her first start, told BBC Two: "They really did [test us]. We knew all week they would come out firing and fair play to them, it was a tough game.

"We knew they were going to be tough competitors all game, and they pushed us right to the end.

"We just needed to get front-foot ball and make sure we kept possession; it was difficult but pleased to get the win."

After beating Japan in their opener, Scott Bemand's side have now won both their two Pool C games to reach the knockout stage with a game to spare.

They face New Zealand next Sunday in their final pool game in Brighton, aiming to secure top spot.

And the fixture against the World Cup holders is one Perry will relish.

"Two bonus-point wins which we can't fault but plenty of learnings this weekend and we're really excited for a big game in Brighton next week," she added.

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Women's Rugby World Cup - Pool C: Ireland v Spain

Venue: Franklin's Gardens, Northampton Date: Sunday, 31 August Kick-off: 12:00 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sport website and app.

Ireland front row Linda Djougang says her refusal to be complacent has been a key factor in achieving the consistency which has seen her become an almost 'ever-present' and reach her 50th cap against Spain in Sunday's Rugby World Cup fixture.

The Cameroon-born prop has missed just one Ireland match since making her international debut against England in 2019.

"It feels amazing. I haven't really thought about it until this week. When I started rugby I never dreamt of this. I never imagined I would reach this milestone," said Djougang.

"Every game I just try to do my best. For me it means so much to show the other girls in the squad that they can get there too.

"For me to be that role model for them, there aren't really words, but we have a job to do against Spain to make it even more special. We've been so focused on the game and getting everything right for Sunday."

The 29-year-old says she never takes anything for granted as regards selection.

"You never want to feel comfortable. In each training session you want to put your hand up for selection. As we all know rugby is such an unpredictable game.

"I always train like I'm on the bench and I want to get on the starting team. This milestone shows me what I'm capable of and pushes me to want more.

"It's nice to be reminded of the achievement and I'll celebrate with the girls as my journey started with them and this landmark deserves to be celebrated with them."

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand paid tribute to the impact made by Djougang, and her influence on the squad before Sunday's match in Northampton.

"Linda is an incredible person, an incredible player. She can play both sides of the scrum and has such a level of resilience and robustness.

"It's an incredible feat of endurance, of getting better all the time. She's right at the centre of where we've come from, what we are now and where we're trying to go.

"Hopefully we give a performance to do this milestone proud."

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Ireland centre Eve Higgins says her side is fully focused on Sunday's World Cup Pool C game against Spain and that their thoughts are not turning towards a potential group decider against holders New Zealand the following week.

Ireland began their campaign with a 42-14 win over Japan in Northampton on Sunday, with centre Higgins scoring one of Scott Bemand's side's six tries.

Spain lost 54-8 to New Zealand but ran Ireland close in their WXV3 meeting in 2023 after winning the 2021 World Cup qualifier between the sides.

"We've been very much looking at one game at a time. We are focusing on Spain, everything is on Spain this week. We're not looking ahead to New Zealand. We want to go in and get a performance again," said Higgins.

"Spain are an extremely hard-working team. They never give up. They fight for every inch so we know it's going to be a tough game."

Ireland led 28-7 at the break against Japan at Franklin's Gardens but were pegged back by their opponents before running out comfortable victors.

"It's definitely something we're looking at going into this weekend - how can we start better in the second half? We want to bring what we've learned from the Japan game and bring it into this weekend.

"One of our main focuses in the game was to start fast, which we did. Now it's about how we can bring that into the second half because Japan definitely gained some momentum."

Higgins is happy to play at either outside or inside centre and is relishing the experience of playing on the biggest stage in the sport.

"The biggest thing is to wear a green jersey. That's the dream. I'm enjoying 12 at the minute but if you put a 13 on my back I'd say I'd enjoy that too.

"When we look back these are moments that you might never live again, playing in a World Cup, it's huge, we couldn't do it last time. They only come round every four years so it's extremely special to be in that position. so why not enjoy it."

Scrum-half Aoibheann Reilly added: "I think as the competition goes on we'll definitely develop as a team and hopefully that will be evident from the performances."

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Ireland assistant coach Alex Codling says star back row Aoife Wafer is "very close" to making her return from knee injury.

This year's Women's Six Nations player of the tournament missed Ireland's opening World Cup win over Japan after undergoing knee surgery last month.

Wafer stayed in Dublin last week to continue her rehab, and while she has trained with the squad since arriving in England, Codling stopped short of saying the 22-year-old is in contention to face Spain in Northampton on Sunday (12:00 BST).

"She's working really hard, she's coming back, she's very close," said Codling.

"Obviously as a coaching group it's important we make sure that moment's right for her and for the team. We'll monitor that over the next couple of days."

Codling added: "I'm not working directly with her, but in terms of running, she joined in with the lineouts, that gives an indication that she's on track and going really well."

Codling also said Ireland are "looking after" Edel McMahon after the co-captain sat out part of Wednesday's training session.

Having missed both warm-up games, McMahon managed 75 minutes in the win over Japan.

"It's important for us as a coaching group, we're managing loads of players and she's obviously been out for a while," explained Codling.

"She was exceptional at the weekend so we're looking after her and making sure she is fit and ready."

Spain opened their World Cup campaign with a 54-8 loss to holders New Zealand, but ran Ireland close in their WXV3 meeting in 2023 after winning the 2021 World Cup qualifier between the sides.

Spain are ranked 13th in the world, eight places below Ireland, but Codling insists "a piece of paper has never won games".

"I think we treat everyone the same, for lots of different reasons. Certainly, they are a team that will challenge us.

"They have got a lot of Sevens players in the group, and you could see against New Zealand, if you give them space and time they will hurt you."

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Gareth Steenson said he was impressed by how Ireland fly-half Dannah O'Brien coped in the "pressure cooker" of the World Cup.

The 21-year-old directed Ireland's attack in the 42-14 win over Japan on Sunday and was perfect off the kicking tee, landing all six of her conversion attempts.

Steenson, a former fly-half who twice won the Premiership with Exeter Chiefs, is Ireland's kicking coach for the World Cup in England.

"She has worked very hard for a number of months now," he said.

"I'm delighted for her in that environment, it was a bit of a pressure cooker, and something a bit different with 15,000 or 16,000 out there watching.

"I'm very pleased with how she performed. It's a big weapon for us so hopefully we can utilise it going forward."

Upon their return to the World Cup after an eight-year absence, Steenson added that Ireland were "delighted" to start the tournament with a bonus-point win.

While praising O'Brien, who is closing in on 30 caps despite only being 21, for her individual display, he said that the Irish performance was a "collective" and the coaching team were pleased with the effort "right across the board".

"When we look back on it there will be things we have to work on but I'm very pleased for Dannah and very pleased for the whole squad." he added.

"We're very fortunate in Ireland with the GAA [Gaelic Athletic Association] background and a lot of girls have a natural ability to kick the ball.

"We've kickers right across the board and Dannah is leading that."

Ireland's next game in Pool C is against Spain at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday (12:00 BST).

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Ireland's Fiona Tuite admits she had a "tear in my eye" in the moments before making her long-awaited Women's Rugby World Cup debut for Ireland.

Ulster forward Tuite scored a try to help Ireland secure a 42-14 win over Japan at Franklin's Gardens in their first World Cup game in eight years.

Tuite, 28, said making her World Cup debut was "incredible" but she was "incredibly nervous" the morning of the game.

"We got here, had a walk out and I looked up into the stands, saw some familiar faces and just said 'smile Fiona, take it all in'," she said.

"It was genuinely lovely, I had a tear in my eye during the anthem and just said this is so special, it's something we've been building for for eight years.

"It's something I've wanted my whole life.

"It was honestly amazing, I was so proud."

Ireland are back in action in Pool C on Sunday against Spain and Tuite says they will be a "different challenge" than Japan.

"Spain are really quick and it was tough when we played them in WXV3," said Tuite.

"It's really important to enjoy these wins and then we'll look forward to the challenge that Spain will bring."