Nose break an added slap in the face for Ireland debutant Adams Verling
Ireland debutant Jemima Adams Verling with family after the WXV Global Series match between Ireland and USA at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
The USA's Tallaght Stadium victory didn't just land a slap in the face to Scott Bemand's Ireland.
For Connacht's young back row Jemima Adams Verling, it also resulted in a suspected broken nose to welcome her to Test rugby.
The 20-year-old thinks she suffered the blow in the opening 10 minutes of Sunday's 40-36 reversal in the WXV Global Series opener but, having broken her nose before, it was a case of business as usual.
"To be honest, I was so happy to be on the pitch that I hardly even noticed it," she said. "It was fairly pumping blood throughout, but's not too curvy, so I'm not too stressed yet.
"I'm used to this by now. It was one way to get my debut, anyway."
Adams Verling can take solace in the fact that most of the damage was inflicted on Ireland after she had been called ashore in the 51st minute.
The hosts were leading 31-12 at that point and it was around five minutes after that when the USA gave themselves a lifeline with Kathryn Treder's converted try.
Less than 15 minutes later, they took the lead for the first time having scored 28 unanswered points and held on to the final whistle for a famous victory.
Ireland had appeared to be coasting to victory but failed to meet the physical challenge presented by the visitors, particularly off the bench. In her time on the pitch, Adams Verling caught the eye with some strong carries.
"It's a huge step up," said Adams Verling. "It's definitely more physical, definitely a lot tougher.
"You have to give credit to the USA. They broke my nose anyway, so I can prove their point there. It's always tough playing a physical side, but even though it was tough in the second half, we still stood up to the challenge.
"We had so many hard hits out there, and the girls put their bodies on the line every single time. I found the overall experience was brilliant.
"I had such amazing players around me that I felt confident in my carries, that there was always going to be a girl there for a tip or to get over me.
"Obviously, people are disappointed, but I think the girls have so much to be proud of. Even though the result didn't go our way, and the USA are a very physical, strong side, we still had so many good pieces throughout.
"I have to credit the girls for their work rate and their intent. They kept on trying until the very end, and unfortunately it didn't go our way."
Her team-mates also put aside their disappointment to give the new Ireland cap her moment in the dressing-room afterwards, when she sang Cyndi Lauper's 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun' to mark her milestone achievement.
"One close to my heart," she said, smiling. "I don't think you'd want to hear that now - a bit screechy, so I'll save your ears.
"It was an absolutely huge week. I don't think I'm ever going to forget this. It's just been the most incredible time of my life, and I'll hold this memory near and dear.
"The next time I get to put on that green jersey, I'm going to be equally as excited.
"It's nerve-wracking getting your first cap, but it's also the most amazing feeling in the world.
"The girls have been amazing. I've never felt so loved and so appreciated in my life.
"Just even having my family come up, my brother, my mother and my dad, then I had friends from Galwegians and Creggs and a few people dotted around the place that I hold near and dear.
"It's just insane and it just shows how much love is in the rugby community. All the people from my home club, and even the club I'm with now, Galwegians, they're just all such amazing people that have made me feel so good.
"It is just the most exciting and just the best thing in the world."
With Ireland needing to rebound against Japan in Galway on Sunday, Bemand could do with bottling Adams Verling's enthusiasm as she heads for home territory.
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