Scott Bemand sets challenge for his Irish side ahead of Black Ferns clash

“The longer you go in this competition each game, the media, the fan base, everything magnifies,” the Ireland boss said.

NEW CHALLENGE: Ireland head coach Scott Bemand has set his Ireland team a new challenge as they turn their focus towards defending champions New Zealand next Sunday: to start firing more shots, more consistently against the main Women’s World Cup contenders. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Mon, 01 Sep, 2025 - 06:25

Simon Lewis, Northampton

Scott Bemand has set his Ireland team a new challenge as they turn their focus towards defending champions New Zealand next Sunday: to start firing more shots, more consistently against the main Women’s World Cup contenders.

The head coach has seen his team knock off the Black Ferns already during his tenure, when Ireland defeated them in Vancouver during the 2023 WXV1 campaign. Yet following qualification for the quarter-finals following a 43-27 victory over Pool C rivals Spain at Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday he wants to see Ireland now test the tournament’s big four, also including hosts and world number one-ranked England, France and Canada, by providing more meaningful contests as his squad continues to develop.