Ireland 'going to focus on ourselves' ahead of showdown with rivals New Zealand, says O'Brien 

Scott Bemand's side came through a Spanish challenge on Sunday.

Ireland's Linda Djougang and Dannah O’Brien celebrate after the match. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady

Dannah O’Brien has insisted the focus for Ireland’s Pool C finale against New Zealand in Brighton this Sunday will be on themselves rather than any rivalry with the defending champions.

Like the majority of her team-mates in the 2025 Women’s World Cup squad currently campaigning in England, the 21-year-old fly-half has fond memories of facing the Black Ferns last September 30 in Vancouver, when they eked out a 29-27 victory at WXV1 to rubber-stamp their rebuild under head coach Scott Bemand.