Ireland's Historic Challenge

Ireland's women's rugby team is set to face France in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final, a match that carries immense significance. The team's best performance at a World Cup was in 2014 when they reached the semi-finals, but this time, they are determined to go even further.

The Quarter-Final Curse

The phrase 'World Cup quarter-final' has long been a source of dread for Irish rugby supporters. The only senior Irish side to ever make the semi-finals was the women's squad in 2014, a tournament that did not feature a last eight. Since then, the men's team has suffered eight quarter-final losses, making this stage a notorious 'glass ceiling' for Irish rugby.

Key Players and Strategies

Amee-Leigh Costigan, a winger who also represented Ireland Sevens at the Paris Olympics, expressed the team's excitement and determination. "It's a World Cup quarter-final, it's knockout stages, everybody's going to be going hard at it," she said. The team is energized by the 'do-or-die' nature of the fixture and is focused on delivering a performance that will make their country proud.

The Return of Aoife Wafer

Ireland's cause is bolstered by the return of star back row Aoife Wafer, the 2025 Six Nations player of the tournament. Wafer has not featured since April due to knee injuries but has been named in the seven jersey to face France. Her return is seen as a significant boost for the team.

Leadership and Inspiration

Captain Sam Monaghan highlighted the importance of Wafer's return and the leadership of co-captain Edel McMahon, who is unfortunately sidelined due to injury. "Tricky [McMahon] is probably one of the most phenomenal leaders I've ever got a chance to work with," Monaghan said. The team is playing not just for themselves but also for their injured captain.

Looking Ahead

Under the guidance of former England assistant Scott Bemand, Ireland has seen a rapid upturn in fortunes. With wins over Australia and New Zealand, and back-to-back third-place finishes in the Six Nations, the team feels they are ready to take on the challenge. Bemand emphasized that the time is now for Ireland to make their mark on the World Cup stage.

Conclusion

As Ireland prepares to face a formidable France side, the team is focused on breaking the quarter-final curse and making history. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with Ireland determined to shatter the glass ceiling and advance to the semi-finals.