Bemand hopeful Ireland's injury issues will clear up for quarter-final

It's France next up in a quarter-final in Exeter.

REGROUP: Ireland Head Coach Scott Bemand speaks in a team huddle after the match. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Ireland took a blow to their pride in Brighton at the hands of New Zealand. They suffered physically with it, Stacey Flood, Edel McMahon and Eve Higgins all making way early with injuries. Not great with a World Cup quarter-final seven days distant.

Flood first.

The full-back went down in some discomfort late in the first-half after taking part in a ruck and had to be stretchered off whilst wearing a moon boot. Head coach Scott Bemand described it as a cut on her foot but spoke with a positive bent.

“As I stand here now, with what I know, I’m pretty hopeful that everybody is going to be fit and raring to go next week.” 

McMahon was replaced early in the second-half after injuring her knee. The co-captain injured only returned from a knee problem for the pool opener against Japan. It is unclear if this is the same joint or the same problem.

Higgins departed for a HIA after being caught by an accidental knee to the head but player and coach confirmed after the final whistle that the assessment had been passed. Beibhinn Parsons, withdrawn shortly after half-time, was a decision made with the last eight in mind.

“Beibhinn is absolutely fine. We know we’ve got Anna McGann who has been scoring tries when she comes on. She did nothing wrong today, it was about getting people on the park who we know can be in this arena and can take the learnings about how to perform.” 

The next performance will be ON Sunday in Exeter Chiefs’ Sandy Park against a French side that they haven’t beaten since 2017. The French aren’t at New Zealand’s level but a win there would nonetheless be a seismic shift in fortunes.

“France, we have come up against them numerous times in the Six Nations,” said Sam Monaghan. “At the start of the Six Nations this year it was a game we were in and we probably let ourselves down a bit. Should have been more clinical again so something we will focus on this week.

“That’s on us. At the end of the day, when we are on top of teams, when we are firing, we know we can score, we know we can play. We have some great individual players but in that first-half [against New Zealand] we just needed to win the physical battle, carry harder.”