Ireland out to back up Black Ferns upset against heavyweights Canada

Scott Bemand’s side will line out against the hosts at the Langley Events Centre on Saturday. 

PRACTICE MAKES PROGRESS: Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe and Eve Higgins at Ireland training. Pic: INPHO/Travis Prior

Getting to the top is one thing, staying there another. It’s a challenge made all the more testing by the fact that Scott Bemand’s side is now being asked to take down Canada less than a week after accounting for New Zealand’s world champions.

A Kiwi scalp will never lose its currency but there are others of equal value in the women’s game right now. The Canadians stand second in the world rankings, one place above the Black Ferns, having beaten them just last May in Christchurch.