Improving Ireland eager to face daunting Black Fern challenge

Scott Bemand's Irish side have made strides this year and face a tough opening game when they take on New Zealand in the WXV1 in Canada.

BLACK FERNS CHALLENGE: Ireland face a tough first game in the WXV1 when they take on the Black Ferns. Picture: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Go back 12 months and Scott Bemand was starting his spell as Ireland women’s head coach with a WXV3 tournament that produced blowout wins against Kazakhstan and Columbia and a nervy two-point win over Spain in the Middle East.

Well, what a difference a year makes.