Scott Bemand: 'We’ve got to become reasonably un-Irish'

Head coach Scott Bemand during an Ireland Women rugby training. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand says his team are going to have to become “reasonably un-Irish” if they are to capitalise on their position as favourites in the WXV Global Series.

It is a different challenge for a side who have been striving to close the gap on the teams above them but, according to Bemand, it is a crucial part of that process with the big tournaments in mind.

Ireland are the highest-ranked team in each of their three home games in the five-match series, starting with Sunday’s meeting with the USA at Tallaght Stadium (1.45pm), and Bemand wants his players to embrace the expectation rather than hide from it.

“We’ve got to do it from the front and we’ve got to become reasonably un-Irish and do it as the favourites,” he said. “But that’s all right. Learning to perform with that expectation is becoming a good tournament team.

"It's not all about world rankings, but I think we've closed the gap on what you would perceive as a top four and we're going to start taking lumps out of that lot now.

“The first thing you’ve got to do, and I use the World Cup as a point of reference, is to win the games you have to win."

While they didn't result in victories, the last two Six Nations performances against France in particular have left Bemand feeling confident about what's ahead.

“We’ve got the hook into people now,” the 47-year-old said. “It’s a bit interesting coming to watch Ireland, it's ‘what are they going to do?’ 

“Well, we’ve got a couple of games that we can go on now - we’ll play, we’ll kick, we’ll counter-attack, we’ll push. We’ll score more and more. So we’re building a really nice game.” 

The USA, who now have former Ireland coach Jack Hanratty in charge, are expected to provide a physical test. For Bemand, however, Sunday is about establishing the tone for the series and continuing the momentum generated by their recent performances.

With that in mind, he has selected a strong line-up with one major change, which is in the back row. There are four changes in total from the starting side from the final Six Nations game against Scotland in May.

“I think there’s a swell of public opinion and support for what the group has done,” he said. “People are interested in the story that we’re creating around the green wave, around the on-pitch as well. We’ve got new leaders coming through, emerging talent.” 

That talent includes Jemima Adams Verling, who will make her Ireland debut. 

Bemand has deliberately placed the 20-year-old Connacht back row between two experienced, world-class operators in skipper Erin King and Six Nations player of the tournament Aoife Wafer, rather than making wholesale changes to his side.

"It gives Jemima every chance to succeed," he said.

Adams Verling has been part of the centralised programme for almost a year and has already had plenty of exposure to the international environment. She trained with Ireland throughout the Six Nations and spent last season in the Celtic Challenge.

An important member of the Ireland under-21 set-up earlier this year - she scored tries against Wales and England - Adams Verling comes in for Brittany Hogan, who is named on the bench.

“The special bit is the first time taking the pitch,” Bemand said. “She’s got a bit about her, you wouldn’t put a score past her.” 

Her selection is also an indication of how Bemand wants to build his squad. “I generally don’t want it to be big sweeping changes because you want stuff to be teed up for success,” he explained.

“I’ve got a few players here I think are right on the cusp of getting an opportunity. They’ve got to keep training the house down. They (opportunities) are very earnable. The whole group is just getting experiences as they go through and maturing nicely."

Béibhinn Parsons is not yet ready for her return from injury as Vicky Elmes Kinlan starts on the right wing, while Niamh O’Dowd is selected at loosehead prop following Ellena Perry's retirement. 

The other change sees Dorothy Wall replace the injured Sam Monaghan in the second row.

The series also arrives ahead of next September's first-ever British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, which adds another layer. Jo Yapp, the Lions head coach, has already visited the Irish camp and met players and staff.

“We’re selling, we’re pitching,” Bemand said with a smile. “We’ve got a few people that I think could get on that tour and make a difference to it. This is the start of that, which kind of brings a bit of excitement."