Ireland head coach Bemand defends capping two ex-England players on eve of World Cup

Ireland's Ellena Perry. Pic: Ben Brady/Inpho

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand has explained the reasoning behind his decision to hand auditions to two former England players on the eve of a Women’s Rugby World Cup that kicks off across the Irish Sea in a matter of weeks.

Nancy McGillivray, who had been under contract to the English union and part of their development pathway until June, made her Test debut in green against Scotland in Cork last week and the centre marked the occasion with one of the team’s five tries.

Brought up in Hong Kong, and with a strong Irish background, McGillivray had never actually played for the Red Roses. Ellena Perry, who should make her Ireland debut against Canada in Belfast this Saturday, has played for England eleven times.

The Gloucester-Hartpury front row was part of England’s extended squad as recently as 2024 but hasn’t been capped by her country of birth since 2020. 

World Rugby regulations deem that players are allowed to swap allegiances if they haven’t been fielded for three years.

Perry, who has been named on the bench for Ireland for the second of their two World Cup warm-ups, has been a late addition to the national panel and, with Christy Haney still injured, will get her chance at some point this weekend.

Bemand was asked, after naming his matchday 23 on Thursday, whether the practice of parachuting players in that had been part of the England system, and so soon before such a major tournament, might risk putting noses out of joint.

“If done incorrectly,” he said, “but with Christy picking up the hamstring niggle we needed to bring in and supplement front row. So actually, everything has been done well, in my opinion. In terms of the playing group, she's known to a good few of our group.

Ireland's Nancy McGillivray. Pic: Ben Brady/Inpho

“So actually transitioning in, in terms of the block that we've gone through, it's been a pre-season block. So people coming in and getting touch points within pre-season blocks is actually a really healthy point to enter. And it gives people time to acclimatize.

“It gives people time to understand what the culture is of the group. It's not just an on-pitch piece. There's an off-piece culture where people like to be themselves, and add to our wave. She's been able to do that.” 

Bemand had rich praise for McGillivray and everything she has added to the group in such a short period to date, and he pointed out that Perry had been the starting loosehead for her club in both the PWR semi-final and final played back in the spring.

Alongside her in that front row was Irish stalwart Neve Jones while Irish co-captain Sam Monaghan is another who shares a dressing-room with the new recruit at the English champions. The 28-year-old is not an unknown by any means.

Bemand had worked with both Perry and McGillivray in the past, during his long stint as an assistant coach with the Red Roses, and those connections were clearly a huge help in bringing both players on board.

“She's hit the ground running,” he said of Perry. “So she's more than earned her place in and around the area, in around the group. She's known to some of the players anyway, so in terms of the fit, there's been quite a seamless transition.”