Ireland finished their inaugural WXV1 campaign on a high note, coming from behind to secure a 26-14 bonus-point victory against the USA at BC Place in Vancouver. The win, which saw Ireland score three tries in the final quarter, was largely aided by the Eagles’ lack of discipline, as they conceded 19 penalties and three yellow cards in the closing stages.

The match began with Ireland dominating possession, but failing to capitalise on early opportunities. USA struck first through Hope Rogers, who scored two tries on her 50th cap appearance, giving the Eagles a 14-7 halftime lead. Rogers’ first try came in the 18th minute, as she muscled her way over the line after a period of sustained pressure from the USA pack. Her second, on the stroke of halftime, came from another close-range effort, following a break from centre Alev Kelter.

Ireland’s sole first-half score came from Erin King in the 28th minute. The flanker, showcasing quick thinking, caught the American defence off-guard with a tap penalty just metres from the line. King fended off multiple defenders to crash over, continuing her try-scoring form from the earlier match against New Zealand.

The turning point came in the 62nd minute when USA flanker Tahlia Brody was sin-binned for an offside infringement. This resulted in a penalty try for Ireland that levelled the score at 14-14. The penalty try was awarded after Brody intercepted a pass from replacement scrum-half Molly Scuffil-McCabe in an offside position, with the referee deeming a probable try was prevented.

From there, the floodgates opened as Ireland took full advantage of their numerical superiority. Cliodhna Moloney, whose return to the national setup after a two-and-a-half-year absence has been a feel-good story for Irish rugby, scored the go-ahead try in the 72nd minute. This try came from a well-executed lineout maul, with Moloney, at the back of the drive, managing to keep her fingertips on the ball as she grounded it. The try was initially not given but was awarded after a TMO review.

Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe sealed the bonus point with a try in the 75th minute. This score came from a sweeping backline move, with captain Enya Breen providing a long, accurate pass to put Murphy Crowe into space. The sevens specialist showcased her pace and finishing ability, breaking through a tackle to dive over in the corner.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – OCTOBER 11: Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe of Ireland celebrates scoring her team’s third try with teammate Ruth Campbell during the WXV 1 2024 match between USA and Ireland at BC Place on October 11, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Rich Lam – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

The victory marks a successful debut for Ireland in the top tier of the WXV competition, following their promotion from WXV3 last year. With two wins from three matches, including a memorable victory over world champions New Zealand in the opening round, Scott Bemand’s side have shown remarkable progress and resilience throughout the tournament.

Player of the match Erin King continued her impressive form, following up her brace against New Zealand with another try and strong defensive performance. The introduction of Molly Scuffil-McCabe at scrum-half in the second half proved crucial, as her quick thinking led to the penalty try that swung momentum in Ireland’s favour.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – OCTOBER 11: Erin King of Ireland poses for a photo after being awarded Mastercard Player of the Match during the WXV 1 2024 match between USA and Ireland at BC Place on October 11, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Rich Lam – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

For the USA, the result caps a disappointing WXV1 campaign in which they lost all three matches. Despite moments of promise, particularly in the first half, their inability to maintain discipline ultimately cost them the game and any chance of finishing the tournament on a positive note.

USA Head Coach Sione Fukofuka commented after the game:”We were really confident, but unfortunately discipline and the yellow cards made it really hard against a really good Irish team. We’ve had four weeks together, a WXV 1 tournament against some of the best teams in the world. We’re really pleased at we’re we’ve grown to, but back in the game we could’ve been a little smarter and our discipline was a challenge.”

As Ireland look ahead to the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, this performance and overall tournament showing will undoubtedly boost their confidence. The team’s ability to close out games strongly and capitalise on opponents’ mistakes bodes well for their future prospects in international competition.

“The competition doesn’t sit still; things keep getting harder and harder. But we’re starting to now understand and can actually evidence that we can come through hard games, games where we’re out in front, ball-in-hand games, games where we got to show a bit of tenacity” head coach Scott Bemand said as he reflected on the performance.

England’s Red Roses produced a scintillating display of attacking rugby to dismantle world champions New Zealand 49-31 in their WXV1 clash in Vancouver. The victory, spearheaded by a hat-trick from Jess Breach and braces from Abby Dow and Ellie Kildunne, extends England’s winning streak to 19 matches and cements their status as favourites for next year’s World Cup.

Job done in Langley 🫡

One more to go. #NZLvENG | #WXV pic.twitter.com/eLtAbPDU1O

— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) October 6, 2024

The Black Ferns, smarting from their opening round defeat to Ireland, started with intent. Number eight Kaipo Olsen-Baker powered over from a five-metre scrum after just six minutes, brushing off Natasha Hunt’s tackle attempt. Renee Holmes added the conversion to give New Zealand an early 7-0 lead.

However, England’s response was swift and clinical. Abby Dow showcased her blistering pace and strength, fending off Renee Holmes with a powerful hand-off to level the scores just two minutes later.

The Red Roses then began to assert their dominance, with their back three proving particularly lethal. Jess Breach crossed for her first try in the 18th minute, finishing off a slick backline move that saw Hunt ship a flat pass to Rowland, who shimmied the ball sideways to Breach in the corner.

Ellie Kildunne, the world’s leading try-scorer in 2024, added to her tally with two tries before halftime. Her first came after a dropped high ball by Hannah King gifted England an attacking scrum, from which Kildunne exploited space on the 15-metre line to score. Her second, on the stroke of halftime, came from a brilliant piece of improvisation by Breach, who offloaded while being tackled to find Kildunne on the inside.

New Zealand managed to stay in touch through a well-worked try from Ayesha Leti-I’iga, who finished expertly in the corner after a pinpoint pass from Ruahei Demant, but England’s 22-12 halftime lead was a fair reflection of their superiority.

The second half saw England shift through the gears, with three tries in quick succession after the break. Dow grabbed her second, benefiting from quick hands across the backline to find space on the wing. Natasha Hunt then showed her opportunism, charging down Renee Holmes’ clearance kick and winning the race to ground the ball over the tryline.

Breach added her second, finishing off a flowing move that typified England’s attacking intent. Dow’s initial break created a two-on-one situation, with her inside pass finding Breach for an easy run-in.

To their credit, the Black Ferns refused to capitulate. Tries from Georgia Ponsonby, who crashed over from close range, and Maia Roos, who shrugged off defenders after an Olsen-Baker interception, briefly threatened to make a contest of it.

Fittingly, it was Breach who had the final say for England, completing her hat-trick with a superb finish that left Ruby Tui clutching at thin air. Zoe Harrison added England’s ninth try, stepping inside to score after sustained forward pressure, before Maama Vaipulu grabbed a consolation score for New Zealand in the dying seconds.

England’s back three of Breach, Dow, and Kildunne were simply unstoppable, contributing seven of the team’s nine tries. Their pace, power, and clinical finishing epitomised the evolution of England’s attacking game under coach John Mitchell.
“Our intent was really good,” Mitchell said post-match. “We are a team that has evolved and we are coming together cohesively, we can play both sides of the ruck.”

Player of the match Breach echoed her coach’s sentiments: “To score three tries against this team is credit to the team for putting me in those positions. We needed to front up physically, that’s what we’ll be working on for next week.”

LANGLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA – OCTOBER 06: Jess Breach of England poses for a photo after being awarded the Mastercard Player of the Match during the WXV1 match between New Zealand and England at Langley Events Center on October 06, 2024 in Langley, British Columbia. (Photo by Rich Lam – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

For New Zealand, this defeat marks their third consecutive loss, a worrying trend for the world champions. Captain Ruahei Demant acknowledged England’s superiority: “Full credit to England, they consistently executed and finished their opportunities. We were not clinical enough today.”

The result sets up a tantalising finale to the WXV1 tournament, with England set to face hosts Canada in what could be a title decider. Based on this performance, the Red Roses will take some stopping as they look to defend their WXV crown and lay down a marker ahead of next year’s World Cup on home soil.

Canada secured their second win of the WXV1 tournament with a hard-fought 21-8 victory over Ireland at Willoughby Stadium in Langley, British Columbia. The hosts dominated the first half but were held scoreless after the break as Ireland mounted a spirited fightback.

FULL-TIME 🇨🇦☘️

Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team wins 21-8 over Ireland in game 2 of WXV 1.

🏉 Scorers: (1 penalty try), Claire Gallagher (1T), Julia Omokhuale (1T), Alexandra Tessier (2C)#RugbyCA | #OneSquad pic.twitter.com/MQSBBouUHb

— Rugby Canada (@RugbyCanada) October 6, 2024

The match began as a cagey affair, with both sides struggling to break through robust defensive lines in the opening 20 minutes. Canada’s Alex Tessier, a constant threat in the midfield, came closest to opening the scoring, but was held up over the line in the 19th minute.

The game turned on its head in the 25th minute when Ireland prop Linda Djougang was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on. From the ensuing lineout, Canada’s powerful maul, led by captain Tyson Beukeboom, earned them a penalty try, with Irish loosehead Niamh O’Dowd also shown yellow for collapsing the drive.

LANGLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA – OCTOBER 05: Fiona Tuite of Ireland is tackled by Alex Tessier and Alexandria Ellis of Canada during the WXV 1 Pool match between Canada and Ireland at Langley Events Center on October 05, 2024 in Langley, British Columbia. (Photo by Rich Lam – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Despite being down to 13 players, Ireland showed remarkable resilience, with flanker Aoife Wafer particularly impressive in defence. They even managed to get on the scoreboard when fly-half Dannah O’Brien slotted a penalty after Canada’s Alexandria Ellis was sin-binned for repeated infringements at the breakdown.

However, Canada’s numerical advantage told in the closing stages of the first half. Claire Gallagher, orchestrating play from fly-half, finished off a slick backline move in the 33rd minute, diving over in the left corner after a well-timed pass from Tessier. Just three minutes later, dynamic flanker Julia Omokhuale capitalised on a turnover by centre Shoshanah Seumanutafa, racing 30 metres to score her second international try. Tessier’s pinpoint conversions gave Canada a commanding 21-3 lead at the interval.

Ireland came out firing in the second half, with number eight Aoife Wafer making a tremendous 30-metre break from the base of a scrum, showcasing her power and acceleration. The visitors recycled the ball quickly, and O’Brien’s pinpoint cross-field kick found winger Eimear Considine, who used her pace to touch down in the right corner, narrowing the gap to 21-8.

LANGLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA – OCTOBER 05: Aoife Wafer of Ireland is tackled by Caroline Crossley and Justine Pelletier of Canada during the WXV 1 Pool match between Canada and Ireland at Langley Events Center on October 05, 2024 in Langley, British Columbia. (Photo by Rich Lam – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

The remainder of the match was a scrappy affair, with both sides guilty of handling errors and struggling to maintain momentum. Ireland’s defence, marshalled by captain Enya Breen in the centres, tightened significantly, preventing Canada from adding to their tally. The hosts’ back row, featuring the tireless work of Gabrielle Senft and Caroline Crossley, worked hard to maintain possession but couldn’t breach the Irish line again.

After the game, player of the match Gallagher commented on the tough contest: “Ireland brought physicality, challenged us at the breakdown and they were very disciplined and well connected. We had to dig deep to secure this win.”

LANGLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA – OCTOBER 05: Claire Gallagher of Canada poses for a photo after being awarded the Mastercard Player of the Match during the WXV 1 Pool match between Canada and Ireland at Langley Events Center on October 05, 2024 in Langley, British Columbia. (Photo by Rich Lam – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Canada’s Head Coach Kevin Rouet expressed satisfaction with the result: “We are in the place we want to be after two games with two wins, to be able to win WXV next week. We made some rotations to the lineup and used a lot of players today, so it is exciting to see good performances from players across our whole squad.”

The win sets up a potential title decider for Canada against England in the final round, depending on other results. Rouet added, “Next game is against England, the best team in the world. We are in the place we want to be after two games with two wins, to be able to win WXV next week.”

For Ireland, the defeat brought them back down to earth after their shock victory over New Zealand in the opening round. However, head coach Scott Bemand praised his team’s fighting spirit, particularly in the second half.

“We’re sitting here disappointed that we didn’t execute more chances,” Bemand said. “We came here and said we want to leave respected; I think we’ve come some way to earning a bit more of that respect.”

Ireland captain Enya Breen echoed her coach’s sentiments, stating, “We want to test ourselves against the best, and yes, we’re getting valuable experiences, but we’re out here to fire shots and to have a crack at teams.”

The result leaves Canada unbeaten after two matches, while Ireland will look to bounce back in their final game against the USA. With one round remaining, the inaugural WXV1 tournament is shaping up for an exciting conclusion in Vancouver next weekend.
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