Few positives amid gloom as Ireland again on back foot

Let’s start with a positive. Ireland scored four tries for the first time in the competition, but unfortunately once again failed to gain any traction in a tournament which has unravelled at an incredible rate.

A few weeks ago they were confident of emulating their semi-final appearance achieved at the last World Cup, but seventh-place finish is now the best they can hope for, after yesterday’s fairly comprehensive defeat by Australia at Kingspan Stadium.

The Belfast crowd, around 3,500 in number, were desperate to engage and get behind the girls whose loss to France last Thursday ended thir semi-final hopes.