'The story's still being written': Bemand throws hat in ring to lead Ireland to next World Cup

Speaking in Exeter following the last-eight defeat, Bemand spoke of optimism for the future of Irish women’s rugby, having fielded a matchday 23 for the quarter-final containing just three players aged 30 or over.

ARM IN ARM: Ireland Head Coach Scott Bemand speaks to the team huddle after the game

Head coach Scott Bemand threw his hat into the ring to lead Ireland into the next Women’s Rugby World Cup as he backed his young players to make the leap into the top tier of the international game over the next four years.

Bemand’s Ireland exited the current tournament on Sunday as they were edged out 18-13 by France in their quarter-final at Sandy Park. It marked the end of a two-year cycle under the Englishman during which they were promoted from WXV3 to WXV1 having qualified for Ireland’s first World Cup since 2017 on his watch. Bemand also arrested a run of successive Six Nations wooden spoons and has a year to run on the three-year IRFU contract he signed having served on England’s women’s coaching staff.