The Left Wing · Irish Independent

Seven-try Ireland thwart Spain threat to secure World Cup quarter final berth

·28 min·2 clips

Why did Ireland's World Cup win feel flat despite scoring seven tries against Spain?

Ireland secured a Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final berth with a 43-27 bonus-point win over Spain at Franklin's Gardens. Hosts and analysts dissect the performance, noting it felt less elating than the previous week's emotional victory over Japan. The match featured seven Irish tries but also significant momentum shifts that made it a nervy encounter for fans. Spain's head coach Lourdes Alameda had publicly stated her current squad would not beat a Spanish team from four years ago. Ireland had lost to Spain in qualifiers and narrowly beaten them in WXV, making this a known challenge. Head coach Scott Bemand made numerous changes, with the starting front row and back row each playing together for the first time. Spain scored five tries, exploiting Ireland's narrow defence with clever backline setups and persistent pick-and-go plays. Ireland's tries came from Dorothy Wall, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Anna McGann (two), and Grace Moore, with Dan O'Brien scoring her first international try. A surprising tactical element was Ireland using full-back Méabh Deely in the attacking channel, a move seldom seen before. The panel highlights Elle Perry's Player of the Match performance in her first start, making 20 tackles after being called into the squad late by Bemand. A key concern is the lack of depth in positions like hooker and fly-half, where an injury to Dan O'Brien would force a significant tactical shift. The discussion references Ireland's historic 2014 World Cup win over New Zealand as a benchmark for iconic moments, drawing a parallel to the upcoming Black Ferns pool game. The tone is analytical and conversational, blending post-match reaction with strategic foresight. The style is insider-focused, drawing on the hosts' experience in and around the team environment. This episode is ideal for fans of Irish women's rugby seeking detailed tactical breakdowns and squad analysis ahead of a crucial World Cup phase. Listeners wanting only match highlights or celebratory content might find the critical assessment less engaging.

As heard by us

A quarterfinal win that still leaves Ireland with questions.

Ireland's 43-27 win over Spain feels less like a clean finish than a tense checkpoint, and that is where the episode has some bite. It stays close to the swings in momentum, Spain's pressure near the try line, and the sense that the quarterfinal spot was earned the hard way.

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Why you'd press play

Ireland have secured a quarterfinal berth after a nervy 43-27 Women's Rugby World Cup win over Spain.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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