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'I'd a tear in my eye' - Tuite on World Cup debut published at 08:01 BST 25 August
08:01 BST 25 August
Image source, Inpho
Image caption,
Fiona Tuite scored Ireland's fourth try in Sunday's World Cup win over Japan
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."
Hogan emotional after ending seven-year grind with winpublished at 16:04 BST 24 August
16:04 BST 24 August
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Image caption,
Brittany Hogan was named player of the match in Ireland's opening win over Japan
Ireland's Brittany Hogan admits it was hard to keep her emotions in check after putting seven years of graft to good use with a starring role in Sunday's Women's Rugby World Cup win over Japan.
Hogan fended off stiff competition from a number of impressive displays from her team-mates to be named player of the match in Ireland's 42-14 win at Franklin's Gardens in Northampton.
Having failed to qualify for the last tournament, the Ulster forward said starting the tournament on a high note was particularly sweet.
"It means so much for us to get that performance today," Hogan told BBC Sport NI.
"The occasion meant so much to the whole team. We haven't been here since 2017 so could have went into our shells but that first-half performance was great.
"We scored some super tries. Japan came back at us in the second half and really put us down the throttle but I was so proud of the effort the girls put in to hold them back."
Hogan, who in the build-up to the tournament revealed how she used rugby to help cope with the grief after the death of her father in 2023, added: "I was part of the team that didn't qualify in 2021 so I've been working and grinding to get here for seven years.
"It was so exciting to finally be there and a little bit of emotions came out [at the end]."
Hogan also admitted she was "really surprised" at being named player of the match.
"It was a really tough game with the heat and the ball-in-play time was really high. Japan are a skilful time so we didn't have much set-piece.
"I was really surprised at the end of it. We had so many good performances across the board but that's what you need to be a world-class outfit."
Fast start crucial in Irish win - Bemandpublished at 14:48 BST 24 August
14:48 BST 24 August
Image source, Inpho
Ireland head coach Scott Bemand speaking to the BBC after his side's 42-14 Women's Rugby World Cup pool c win over Japan:
"Games are never perfect. Getting off to a fast start was an important part of what we worked on. We were slow out of the blocks in the second half so getting the bonus point before half-time was quite crucial really for a young team, 17 caps average."
Who stood out?
"There's a stack across the board. I thought Aoife Dalton defended like a hero in the 13 channel. We asked our forwards to front up and earn the platform. We had some nice tries in the first half but that came off the forwards' work."
How Ireland will approach Spain game next week:
"You've got to keep momentum going. Spain are no mugs. They've got a bunch of threats and are a good team. You can see what they're trying to achieve.
"We'll take it seriously and prepare. We just want to keep getting better. We've laid down a marker but we want to be better next week."
Tries: Pearse, Ugweueru, Finn, Og O'Leary 2, McInerney Con: Finn 4
Munster maintained their perfect start to the Women's Interprovincial Championship with a third consecutive bonus-point win over Ulster in Belfast.
The visitors ran in six tries through the 38-17 victory, taking control of the contest with a dominant second half.
The score had been 19-17 at the turn, but Ulster failed to score after the restart with Munster skipper Maeve Og O'Leary leading the way with a pair of tries.
With two bonus-point wins from two games played, the latter of which was an impressive victory over reigning champions Leinster last weekend, Munster arrived in Belfast as heavy favourites.
That tag looked fully justified in the early stages as, after a dominant scrum in a central position, number eight Chloe Pearse barged over for the opening score after 10 minutes.
Ulster hit back, however, with centre Siobhan Sheerin scoring her third try in as many games after strong work in the carry from her forwards.
Chisom Ugweueru responded with Munster's second in the 17th minute thanks to a great show of pace from deep before O'Leary pass put Caitriona Finn between the posts.
When the Munster centre converted her own score, Matt Brown's side led 19-7 and appeared in complete control.
Two tries in the space of three minutes from debutant Ciara Fitzsimons, however, got Ulster right back into things.
First the Queen's winger scored in the corner off scrum-half Sophie Meeke's pass before an intercept score brought her side back within just two points at the break.
Munster enjoyed a brilliant start to the second half when skipper O'Leary pounced on a loose ball and powered her way over just three minutes after the restart.
But visiting prop Grainne Burke was shown a yellow card for a high tackle just minutes later to give Murray Houston's team a route back into the game.
Despite the numerical disadvantage however, Munster continued to apply the pressure and it took a brilliant tackle from prop Sophie Barrett to save a try.
Munster were not to be denied for long though and, as Ulster pressed for a way back into the game, Alana McInerney scooped up a loose pass and ran in for a try from inside her own half.
O'Leary's second of the afternoon arrived on the hour mark and ended the game as a contest, although Ulster defended well to avoid further concession in the final 20 minutes, especially when Niamh Marley was sent to the sin bin.
Ulster: Kate Farrell McCabe; Ciara Fitzsimons, Siobhan Sheerin, Kelly McCormill, Niamh Marley; Abby Moyles, Sophie Meeke; Aishling O'Connell, India Daley (capt), Sophie Barrett, Ellen Patterson, Brenda Barr, Moya Hill, Rebecca Beacom, Stacey Sloan.
Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sport website and app.
The build-up to Beibhinn Parsons' first Women's Rugby World Cup has been, to put it mildly, less than ideal.
This time last year, the 23-year-old wing broke her leg while representing Ireland Sevens in the Paris Olympics.
As a result, Parsons missed Ireland XV's memorable WXV1 campaign, which included an enthralling 29-27 win over world champions New Zealand.
A week on from making her comeback, Parsons suffered a second leg break while playing in the World SVNS Series leg in Cape Town in December, ruling her out of the 2025 Women's Six Nations and putting her World Cup hopes in doubt.
But the speedy Connacht back recovered in time to make Scott Bemand's squad and will make her World Cup debut against Japan on Sunday.
"It's been a tough year, but I'm one of the lucky ones where the timing worked out," Parsons told BBC Sport NI.
"I'm thinking of all the girls that are injured now. It's difficult for them to miss out on a World Cup. It's funny, you think things aren't going your way but I've been lucky enough to have enough time to recover and make the squad."
Still only 23, Parsons is one of the most experienced players in the Ireland squad after making her debut aged 16.
With Ireland having failed to qualify for the last tournament, the Galway native says she is ready to make her mark on the biggest stage.
"I've been waiting a long time to see what it's all about," said Parsons.
"Already with our opening ceremony and how we got welcomed into the airport, you realise that this is a level up. They've put so much funding and support behind this, so it's really exciting."
While Ireland are without Erin King and Dorothy Wall for the tournament and Aoife Wafer for the Japan game at least, Parsons feels the "sky's the limit" for Bemand's side in England.
"When we show our best and put that on the world stage, I really think we can be world beaters. We have no limits on this team, we have no ceilings. We just can't wait to get going."
Ireland behind 'brave' Ikahihifo after cancer diagnosispublished at 14:38 BST 22 August
14:38 BST 22 August
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Image caption,
Shannon Ikahihifo has won three caps for Ireland
Ireland co-captain Edel McMahon says the squad are behind Shannon Ikahihifo after the forward revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
New Zealand-born Ikahihifo, who has won three Ireland caps, was part of the training squad for the Women's Rugby World Cup but was not selected in the final panel for the tournament.
In a post on Instagram on Friday, the 30-year-old Trailfinders player said: "Crazy to think that one day you can be running around on the rugby pitch feeling completely fine, then five days later you're sitting in a hospital room being told you have cancer.
"Still a little in shock if I'm honest, but I'm so blessed to have the most amazing husband, family, and friends that always carry when things start to feel a bit heavy.
"Fair to say she's been a pretty tough few weeks. But lucky we're tougher."
Speaking on Friday, after the Ireland team for Sunday's Pool C opener against Japan was named, McMahon praised Ikahihifo for sharing her news.
"We found out as a group a little bit earlier than everyone else heard, but we respected Shannon's space that she wanted to deal with this herself and even get to terms with what the news entirely is," said McMahon.
"A credit to her to be so brave to come out. It would be very easy to fall into the background and not say anything and not raise awareness herself."
McMahon added: "I know Breast Cancer Awareness is actually happening next month, but the full group are here to support her and we're all thinking of her.
"But at the same time, she's so selfless in that she didn't want to distract from rugby itself and all of the good work that's going on for World Rugby and this campaign.
"She was like, 'I don't want it to be about me', but that's Shannon to a T. The squad are definitely thinking of her and we're here to support her whatever that looks like."
Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sport website and app.
Co-captain Edel McMahon is confident that Ireland's lack of World Cup experience will not "shake" the squad as they prepare to face Japan in their opening game.
Having failed to qualify in 2021, hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald is the only player with World Cup experience in the Ireland squad, with five appearances in the 2017 tournament.
But McMahon, who is set to win her 35th cap on Sunday, says the squad have been using the experience of Sevens players such as Stacey Flood and Amee-Leigh Costigan, who represented Ireland at last year's Paris Olympics.
"To be honest, we did speak about that when we first came in for pre-season," said back row McMahon, who has recovered from injury to start against Japan.
"But we also have girls who have been at the Olympics, being at the biggest world stage you can imagine into sport, so tapping into those headspaces like Leigh, Stacey and all the girls, they all have different experiences of what it's like to play on the world stage.
"We definitely spoke about it as a group but you just don't feel like it shakes this group. It doesn't feel like it's the first World Cup for these girls, they just take it in their stride. It's cool to see that headspace and mentality that they have."
While the playing group is almost entirely shorn of World Cup experience, head coach Scott Bemand was part of England's backroom team at the past two tournaments.
"I've lived through a couple, and I've certainly brought a lot with me from the last two events in Ireland and New Zealand," said Bemand, who took over as Ireland boss in 2023.
"I think that's helped shape our preparation, how we think about this opportunity. Yes, there will be bits that feel a bit different, but it's a test match: there's a pitch, there's a ball, we know what we're capable of.
"The playing group seem excited, as a coaching group we're excited."
Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sport website and app.
Ireland full-back Stacey Flood believes backing from home will be a "really important" factor at the World Cup in England.
The side missed out on the global showpiece three years ago in New Zealand but have steadily rebuilt in the intervening period with results showing real improvement after head coach Scott Bemand was appointed in July 2023.
With Ireland's campaign beginning against Japan at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday, the tournament will bring another level of attention.
"I feel like having eyes on women's rugby and our team is never going to be a bad thing," said Flood of the potential for added pressure.
"We want the Irish people behind us, we want to have the support of everyone.
"This is going to be such a major pedestal for women's rugby that I think this is going to change the game, this whole tournament, and I think it's really important to get eyes on that."
Ireland, who will also face Spain and New Zealand in Pool C, will attempt to focus on their own strengths rather than those of the opposition said Flood.
"Japan, I feel like everything they do, they're so diligent and, I feel like they might not be the biggest team, but they're so skilful.
"They're really good jackal threats and I think we know what they're good at, but it's also just about bringing it back to our squad and what our strengths are, not playing too much to the opposition but focussing on what we can do in the green jersey."
Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sport website and app.
Aoife Wafer has been ruled out of Ireland's opening Women's Rugby World Cup match against Japan as she continues her comeback from knee surgery.
The 2025 Women's Six Nations player of the tournament underwent a procedure last month which caused her to miss Ireland's warm-up games against Scotland and Canada and she has not yet travelled to England with her team-mates.
The 22-year-old back row was named in head coach Scott Bemand's squad last week but is not fit enough to feature against Japan on Sunday (12:00 BST) and has remained in Dublin to work on her recovery.
As per the rules of the competition, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) had to inform World Rugby that Wafer had not departed with the squad as players cannot return home during the tournament window to treat injuries as it would be viewed as unfair on those squads who have greater distances to travel.
Following their opener in Franklin's Gardens, Ireland face Spain on 31 August and back-to-back world champions New Zealand on 7 September in their other Pool C games and the side's assistant coach Larissa Muldoon confirmed that Wafer will join the team next week "in preparation looking into Spain".
Co-captain Edel McMahon, who also did not feature in either of Ireland's warm-up fixtures, is with the squad and according to Muldoon "came through training" on Tuesday and Wednesday with no issues.
Wafer, who will join Harlequins from Leinster after the tournament in England, scored four tries for Ireland in the Six Nations but missed the last game of the championship after damaging knee ligaments against Wales.
Her fitness has become increasingly significant for Ireland following injuries to fellow back rowers Dorothy Wall and Erin King, who will both miss the World Cup.
Muldoon, however, has confidence in Ireland's depth at the position.
"People forget the like of Claire Boles have come back in, Ivana Kiripati has come through the under-20s pathway," added the former international scrum-half.
"[We have] amazing players coming through and giving us that element of competition in our training environment and identity."
Quick starts about 'mentality' for Ireland - Bolespublished at 10:02 BST 20 August
10:02 BST 20 August
Image source, Inpho
Image caption,
Claire Boles represented Ireland at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Ireland v Japan
Venue: Franklin's Gardens Date: Sunday, 24 August Kick-off: 12:00 BST
Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Online and BBC Sounds
Flanker Claire Boles says Ireland must "start faster" in their World Cup opener against Japan in Northampton on Sunday.
Scott Bemand's side had one win and one defeat in their two warm-up fixtures before the tournament but were noticeably slow off the mark in both.
They were 14-0 down against Scotland in Cork before coming back to win, then left themselves far too much to do in a 47-26 loss to Canada in Belfast after falling 33-7 behind.
Boles feels Ireland can "work on" making faster starts but believes the improvement against Canada in the second half at least showed the team's ability to adapt to challenges.
"It is definitely a mentality thing," she said.
"We can train that as well, so we're looking at that too.
"Especially the first game, you have to be off the blocks so we're definitely looking at that."
While Scotland and Wales, as well as France and Italy, have been paired together in the pool stages, Ireland are the only Six Nations side in their group which also includes New Zealand and Spain.
Boles, however, says Ireland are familiar with Japan from their tour to the country in 2022.
"They're a fast team, they're very disciplined. We know if they get their discipline right and get their structure, they're a good side," she said.
"I think we like the group. We've played New Zealand before [in WXV1 in November, Spain in WXV3 the year before that and went to Japan as well.
"So we have played them. You don't play them every single year, but it's not like we're going in there fresh."
World Cup opener a 'huge opportunity' - Costiganpublished at 10:18 BST 19 August
10:18 BST 19 August
Image source, Inpho
Image caption,
Amee Leigh Costigan captained Ireland during the Six Nations
Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Ireland v Japan
Venue: Franklin's Gardens Date: Sunday, 24 August Kick-off: 12:00 BST
Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Online and BBC Sounds
Wing Amee Leigh Costigan says Ireland will be out to begin their Women's Rugby World Cup campaign on "the right foot" against Japan on Sunday.
Scott Bemand's side will kick off Pool C in what will be their first World Cup game in eight years after missing out on the tournament in New Zealand in 2022.
Ireland will also face Spain and New Zealand with the meeting against the world champions, who they beat in November during WXV1, figuring to be key.
Costigan, however, says all focus is on Japan.
"I see it as a huge opportunity for us," said Costigan.
"At the moment, all our eyes are set on Japan. It's the first game and we really want to go in there and put our best performance out.
"You want to start off on the right foot and I think that's what's important to us now."
Ireland lost their final warm-up against Canada in Belfast but the 30-year-old Costigan, who was an Olympian with the sevens side in Paris last year, believes the game against the side ranked number two in the world was good preparation.
While the hosts started slowly, and were 33-7 behind at half-time, they were much improved after the turn in the 47-26 reverse.
"We put it up to them for a lot of that game and put them under pressure at times, which is really good to see," said Costigan.
"We'll be striving for that 80-minute performance against Japan. It'll be something that we will really hone in on, how we start off the game.
"It's really important, you know, to not be putting ourselves under that much pressure."
Image source, Inpho
