'I can’t really speak highly enough about her' - Scott Bemand on new addition Ellena Perry

“To be fair, it’s been a whirlwind. I just try and take every day as it comes. Now we’re five, six weeks in, I try to get used to not seeing my son every day. We’re getting used to it.” 

WHIRLWIND: Ireland's Ellena Perry celebrates with her Player of the Match award and her son Bert after the game. Pic:  ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Scott Bemand only met Ellena Perry for the first time less than six weeks ago but the Ireland head coach has quickly grasped how important the loosehead prop could be for his side at the Women’s World Cup.

A player of the match performance in the bonus-point pool victory over Spain in Northampton last Sunday confirmed the impact the 28-year-old has already made on the Irish squad. A scrum penalty won at the first engagement in a dominant set-piece for her side was augmented by 19 tackles during the 43-27 win that secured a place in the quarter-finals.