In a dazzling display of dominance, Ireland’s women’s rugby team kicked off their campaign in Tier 3 of the new WXV competition with an awe-inspiring 109-0 victory over Kazakhstan in Dubai last Friday. The Irish squad not only secured a resounding win but also signaled their intent in this exciting tournament.
The match saw a slew of outstanding performances, with sevens stars Eve Higgins and Beibhinn Parsons making their triumphant return to the XVs team, each notching up four tries. These athletes demonstrated their class and finesse, underlining their significance in the Irish setup. Another standout player was Aoife Dalton, who touched down twice during the match, contributing significantly to the Irish team’s success.
This clash was significant for another reason – it marked the beginning of Scott Bemand’s tenure as the new head coach for Ireland. Bemand assumed this role in late July, taking the reins from Greg McWilliams after a challenging Six Nations campaign. Despite the game being against a much less experienced Kazakhstan side, this victory breathes new life into Irish women’s rugby, offering hope after a tough year that saw them struggle to secure a win.
The WXV competition is a fresh initiative aiming to provide annual fixtures for teams during non-World Cup years, and Ireland’s overwhelming performance certainly set a high standard. From the outset, Ireland exhibited their prowess as they only took two minutes to put points on the board. Prop Christy Haney set the tone, scoring the first try, swiftly followed by fly-half Dannah O’Brien’s precise kicking, converting six times in total.
As the match progressed, Ireland continued to pile on the points with a staggering seven more tries before half-time. Meabh Deely’s try, following a flowing move, and Eve Higgins’ individual brilliance highlighted the diversity of their scoring. Linda Djougong, Beibhinn Parsons, Molly Scuffil-McCabe, Grace Moore, and Aoife Dalton each added to Kazakhstan’s woes.
The second half was no different, with Ireland maintaining their momentum. Higgins completed her hat-trick, and Aoife Dalton’s opening try showcased the team’s impeccable teamwork and offloading. Beibhinn Parsons and Brittany Hogan joined the try-scoring party, and Aoife Dalton secured her second try. Debutant Sarah Delaney also made her mark with a try, bringing Ireland’s total past the 100 mark.
Eve Higgins put the icing on the cake with her third try, and Nicole Fowley equaled Dannah O’Brien’s tally of six conversions after coming on in the second half. Ireland’s next challenge will be against Colombia on October 21, with Spain as their final opponents in this exciting competition.
The squad that delivered this extraordinary victory consisted of Meabh Deely, Natasja Behan, Eve Higgins, Aoife Dalton, Beibhinn Parsons, Dannah O’Brien, Molly Scuffil-McCabe, Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Christy Haney, Dorothy Wall, Sam Monaghan, Grace Moore, Edel McMahon, and Brittany Hogan. Their replacements included Sarah Delaney, Sadhbh McGrath, Megan Collis, Eimear Corri, Maeve Og O’Leary, Aoibheann Reilly, Nicole Fowley, and Leah Tarpey.
On the other side, Kazakhstan’s lineup featured Gulim Bakytbek, Liliya Kibisheva, Lyudmila Ivanova, Darya Tkachyova, Yeva Bekker, Kundyzay Baktybayeva, Daiana Kazibekova, Natalya Kamendrovskaya, Moldir Askhat, Tatyana Dadajanova, Ann Chebotar, Darya Simakova, Tatyana Kruchinkina, Karina Sazontova (captain), and Symbat Zhamankulova. Their replacements included Yelena Yurova, Balzhan Akhbayeva, Karina Tankisheva, Yuliya Oleinikova, Daria Kuznetsova, Svetlana Malezhina, Alyona Melnikova, and Kuralay Turalykova.
This remarkable victory not only showcased Ireland’s prowess on the rugby field but also set the stage for an exciting journey in the WXV competition. It’s a performance that’s sure to make the fans, especially the geeks who love sports, proud and eager for more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rugby Domination
What was the final score of the Ireland vs. Kazakhstan women’s rugby match?
Ireland secured an impressive 109-0 victory over Kazakhstan in this thrilling WXV competition clash.
Who were the standout players in the match?
Sevens stars Eve Higgins and Beibhinn Parsons made a remarkable return, each scoring four tries, and Aoife Dalton added two to Ireland’s tally.
Who is the new head coach for Ireland’s women’s rugby team?
Scott Bemand assumed the role of head coach in late July, succeeding Greg McWilliams.
What is the WXV competition, and what is its aim?
The WXV competition is designed to provide annual fixtures for teams during non-World Cup years, offering a consistent platform for women’s rugby.
When is Ireland’s next match, and who are their upcoming opponents?
Ireland will face Colombia in their next match on October 21, and Spain will be their final opponents in this exciting competition.
4 comments
New coach Scott Bemand’s got them on fire!
Beibhinn Parsons is such a star, 4 tries, impressive!
Can’t wait for the next match against Colombia, go Ireland!
What’s this WXV thingy? Need to check it out.