Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Ireland’s clash with Scotland in the Women’s Six Nations.
Ciarán Kennedy here to bring you all the action as it happens in Belfast, with kick-off at 2.30pm. If you’re looking for some pre-match reading, you can find Gavan Casey’s match preview here.
Much and all as last weekend’s Twickenham humiliation can’t be completely wiped from Ireland’s collective subconscious, nor should the auspicious performance against Wales which preceded it by only a week.
The return of co-captain Sam Monaghan — who starred for almost 50 minutes in Cork against the Welsh but was conspicuous in her absence against England — should help to bridge any gap in muscle memory, as will the reunion of midfield partners in crime Enya Breen and Eve Higgins.
Big news from Cardiff!
Wales have beaten Italy 22-20 in today’s early game, meaning a win of any kind for Ireland in Belfast will be enough to secure automatic qualification for the 2025 World Cup and a place in the WXV 1.
Right, five minutes until kick-off. Here’s a reminder of how Ireland line up today:
15. Méabh Deely (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)
14. Katie Corrigan (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
13. Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC)
12. Enya Breen (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)
11. Béibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)
10. Dannah O’Brien (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
9. Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)
1. Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
2. Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury)
3. Christy Haney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
4. Dorothy Wall (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)
5. Sam Monaghan (Gloucester-Hartpury/IQ Rugby) co-captain
6. Aoife Wafer (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
7. Edel McMahon (Exeter Chiefs) co-captain
8. Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)
Replacements:
16. Clíodhna Moloney (Exeter Chiefs)
17. Niamh O’Dowd (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
18. Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke RFC/Ulster)
19. Fiona Tuite (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)
20. Shannon Ikahihifo (Ealing Trailfinders/IQ Rugby)
21. Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Leinster)
22. Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
23. Katie Heffernan (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)
KICK-OFF
4mins: Ireland 0 Scotland 0
A nervy start for Ireland, who fail to find touch with an early penalty before knocking-on the return kick from Scotland. Still, the hosts are playing most of the rugby in the Scotland half across the opening minutes.
TRY: Ireland 0 Scotland 5 (Martin)
10mins: Ireland 0 Scotland 5
Scotland score the first points in Belfast. Ireland were pinged for offside and Scotland kicked to the corner, winning the lineout in the Ireland 22. Ireland then concede another penalty at the maul and Scotland opt for the corner again. This time the maul drives forward and hooker Elis Martin goes over, with the conversion missed.
The rain is pouring down in Belfast now.
12mins: Ireland 0 Scotland 5
There’s a long stoppage at the moment as Scotland’s Caity Mattinson requires treatment on the pitch.
14mins: Ireland 0 Scotland 5
Mattison leaves on a stretcher. Hopefully the injury isn’t as bad as it looked. Mairi McDonald takes her place and play resumes with Ireland’s first scrum of the afternoon.
Ireland launch an attack from the setpiece but get knocked back after a poor pass. They recover and win a scrum in the Scotland 22 after a knock-on. The handling has been poor so far, but the rain is making it very difficult for the players.
17mins: Ireland 0 Scotland 5
A solid Ireland scrum but Ireland lose possession in the Scotland 22 as Dorothy Wall’s pass is intercepted. Ireland then have a lineout in the Scotland half but lose possession after an overthrow. They scramble well to recover, win a lineout on the opposite side, but the throw is crooked.
27mins: Ireland 0 Scotland 5
Ireland struggling to make any ground against this Scottish defence, Brittany Hogan the latest to get knocked back. Most of the game being played around the middle third over the last few minutes.
32mins: Ireland 0 Scotland 5
Better from Ireland as they win a lineout on the edge of the Scotland 22. Scotland concede a penalty, Ireland go the corner and Neve Jones hits Sam Monaghan. Ireland maul forward but fall short of the line. They recycle the ball and Monaghan goes close before the play is called back for an Ireland penalty.
They go to the lineout again. Big chance here.
34mins: Ireland 0 Scotland 5
Held up!
It’s not the cleanest throw and take but Ireland keep possession and the maul drives forward. Jones powers for the line but Scotland centre Lise Thomson does really well to get under Jones and hold the ball up.
38mins: Ireland 0 Scotland 5
Ireland spending a lot of time in the Scotland 22 now with little reward. Another Ireland lineout is overthrown but Scotland knock the ball on to give the hosts another chance, but a disappointing attack ends with an Ireland knock-on. The errors really piling up now.
40mins: Ireland 0 Scotland 5
Now Scotland are pinged for a crooked throw. It’s been a very poor half of rugby. Both teams will be happy enough to see halftime.
40mins: Ireland 0 Scotland 5
Ireland have a chance to strike at the end of the half but again, it’s a poor lineout and they lose possession. It’s the last action of the half and Ireland trail by five at the break.
HALFTIME: Ireland 0 Scotland 5
The second half has just kicked-off. A huge 40 minutes ahead for Scott Bemand’s side.
TRY! Ireland 5 (Corrigan) Scotland 5
43mins: Ireland 5 Scotland 5
That’s much better from Ireland. O’Brien sends a kick out to the left flank and Ireland retain possession, Hogan carrying hard before Katie Corrigan gets over in the corner. O’Brien’s conversion is off target but Ireland are level.
49mins: Ireland 5 Scotland 5
Change for Ireland. Cliodhna Moloney is in for Neve Jones. Ireland will hope that change leads to a smoother lineout, but Moloney’s first throw is stolen by Scotland – that’s Ireland’s fifth lost lineout of the game.
TRY: Ireland 5 Scotland 12 (Thomson)
53mins: Ireland 5 Scotland 12
Scotland move into the lead again, and it’s a lovely team try. They win a lineout on the edge of the 22, and Ireland initially do well to keep them out as they go through the phases. The ball is reworked and Thomson slices through a gap to run in Scotland’s second try of the game. Nelson converts and Scotland lead by seven.
Ireland then lose another lineout, their sixth loss on the their own throw.
58mins: Ireland 5 Scotland 12
Aoibheann Reilly drives Emma Wassell back with a huge tackle! The crowd enjoyed that one. Ireland then win a penalty near the Scotland 22, and O’Brien goes for the corner.
TRY! Ireland 12 (Moloney) Scotland 12
60mins: Ireland 12 Scotland 12
Great work by Ireland. This time, McMahon wins the lineout at the front and Ireland maul forward, with Moloney powering over. O’Brien’s conversion is good, and the scores are level in Belfast.
61mins: Ireland 12 Scotland 12
As it stands, Scotland would finish third with 1o points and secure their place in the 2025 World Cup and WXV1. Ireland would finish fourth on eight points.
64mins: Ireland 12 Scotland 12
A big break by Parsons, who carries into the Scotland half before being tackled to ground. Ireland work the ball across the pitch but Scotland get in for the steal.
70mins: Ireland 12 Scotland 12
Ireland find themselves in another promising position as a lineout maul carries them into the 22. They look to be building some momentum but the ball spills free and Scotland counter, although the attack comes to nothing.
73mins: Ireland 12 Scotland 12
So close!
Aoife Wafer does brilliantly to break free off the back of a lineout and goes charging for the line. Her pass is slightly behind Moloney, but the hooker does well to claim it and keep the attack alive. Scotland are then pinged twice in quick succession and Ireland will kick for the posts.
PENALTY: Ireland 15 (O’Brien) Scotland 12
75mins: Ireland 15 Scotland 12
O’Brien’s kick is good and Ireland lead!
75mins: Ireland 15 Scotland 12
So as it stands now, Ireland would finish third on 10 points and Scotland would have to settle for fourth. Important to note that a draw would be enough for Scotland to take third.
A massive, massive five minutes ahead for Scott Bemand’s side.
79mins: Ireland 15 Scotland 12
A harsh call goes against Ireland at the scrum. Scotland go to the corner and win the lineout. They move to within the 5-metre line but Ireland defend well – making some big hits before Breen steals the ball back.
That’s a huge defensive set.
Yellow card: Parsons
Beibhinn Parsons is sent to the bin for a deliberate knock-on. Scotland will have one last chance…
80mins: Ireland 15 Scotland 12
Scotland have a line on the edge of the 22… but Ireland steal it!
That’s the game, Ireland are going to the World Cup!
What a finish, and what a second half performance from Ireland.
Great scenes in Belfast as Ireland come from behind to get the job done. Having finished bottom of the table and without a win last year, Ireland take third place in the 2024 Women’s Six Nations.
That result means Scott Bemand’s side are going to the 2025 World Cup, and will also play in WXV 1. Thanks for joining our coverage today, we’ll have all the best reaction from Belfast on The 42 across the evening.
