Ireland Stages Thrilling Comeback to Defeat Scotland in Women's Rugby World Cup Warm-Up Clash
Ireland's women's rugby team delivered an electrifying second-half performance to overcome Scotland 27-21 in a crucial World Cup warm-up match. Despite trailing 14-0 early, the hosts rallied with five tries, capitalizing on Scotland's injury woes to build momentum ahead of their tournament opener against Japan.
Dramatic Momentum Shift in Cork
Ireland showcased championship resilience at Musgrave Park, recovering from a 14-point deficit to claim victory in their final home match before the Women's Rugby World Cup. Scotland's early dominance through Lisa Thomson (6') and Lucia Scott (18') tries threatened an upset, but the match turned on Lana Skeldon's 30th-minute stretcher exit.
Key Turning Points:
- 🏉 Sadhbh McGrath's 34th-minute try ignited Irish hopes
- 🚨 Meabh Deely's score before halftime (38') narrowed gap to 14-12
- 💥 Debutant Nancy McGillivray's 52nd-minute try put Ireland ahead
- ⚡ Emma Orr's spectacular 65th-meter solo try briefly revived Scottish hopes
- 🏆 Late scores from Niamh O'Dowd (72') and Nic a Bhaird (78') sealed victory
World Cup Implications
Ireland's Strengths:
- Captain Sam Monaghan's return bolstered forward power
- Beibhinn Parsons' explosive wing play after injury layoff
- Clinical finishing: 5 tries from 65% territory dominance
Scotland's Concerns:
- Third consecutive warm-up defeat
- Hooker crisis with Skeldon joining Moloney-MacDonald in treatment room
- Contract uncertainty affecting 15+ squad members
Tactical Breakdown
| Ireland's halftime adjustments proved decisive: | Quarter | Possession | Territory | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Q | 42% | 38% | 0-14 | |
| 2Q-4Q | 61% | 67% | 27-7 |
Post-Match Reactions:
- Ireland coach Scott Bemand: "This resilience will serve us well against Japan"
- Scotland's Rachel Malcolm: "We'll review defensive lapses before Wales clash"
Road to World Cup
Upcoming Fixtures:
- Ireland vs Canada (August 9, Belfast)
- Scotland vs Wales (August 23, Salford)
With both teams entering final preparation phases, this match highlighted Ireland's growing depth and Scotland's need for rapid squad cohesion.
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