Preview: Ireland Prepares for Grueling Six Nations Clash Against Italy

Fresh off a hard-fought 27-15 loss to France in Belfast, Ireland’s women’s rugby team faces another stern test as they travel to Parma to take on Italy in the 2024 Women’s Six Nations. Head coach Scott Bemand acknowledges the considerable challenge posed by an Italian side that stunned Ireland 27-21 in last year’s championship.

Learning from Last Year’s Defeat

Ireland’s 2023 campaign began disastrously with that loss to Italy, nearly putting them in Wooden Spoon contention. However, subsequent victories over Wales and Scotland secured third place—a result that also clinched their spot in the 2024 Rugby World Cup.

Bemand admits last year’s defeat was a turning point: "We lost a game we should’ve won, while in previous Six Nations, we were losing games we deserved to lose. The mindset has evolved—now, this squad believes they can compete."

Tactical Adjustments and Italian Threats

Italy has shed their unpredictability for a more structured approach under their current setup. "They used to be wildcards," Bemand notes, "but now they execute disciplined box kicks and set-piece strategies. We’ve prepped for that." Ireland’s focus remains on delivering their best performance to secure their first away Six Nations win since 2021.

Building Momentum

Ireland’s autumn victories over Australia and New Zealand injected confidence, contrasting sharply with their 2023 Six Nations whitewash under former coach Greg McWilliams. Bemand emphasizes resilience: "This group has rewritten their narrative. Italy won’t make it easy, but we’re ready."

Match Details:

• Venue: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
• Date: Sunday, 30 March
• Kick-off: 15:00 BST
• Coverage: Live on BBC Two NI, iPlayer, and BBC Sport