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Daily Mail
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Easson's Scotland team determined to make their mark on women's Rugby World Cup
Scotland head coach Bryan Easson says his side are looking to 'make their mark on the world stage' with an improved performance at the upcoming Women's Rugby World Cup. Easson, who will leave his role post tournament, wants Scotland to bounce back from their disappointment of the last World Cup campaign — which saw his side defeated in all of their pool games in New Zealand. The Scots, who kick off against Wales next weekend, head into the competition on the back of two defeats against Italy and Ireland, but Easson is adamant his side are in a better place, as they prepare for their Cup opener in England. 'I think we have improved,' Easson insisted. 'If you look at the last two or three years, we've been in the games. Every game we go into now, we expect to win. We've got real belief in the group, we've got real belief in each other. 'There's some really, really good rugby players, some world-class rugby players in there as well, and it's our job to make sure that everybody is singing off the same hymn sheet. 'Yes, we do want to make our mark on the world stage. It's a World Cup, and we don't want to just go and enjoy it and make up the numbers.' Defeats to Wales, Australia and New Zealand at the previous iteration undoubtedly still rankles. Leaving without a win was a serious blow — and Easson admits his side were well below-par in the matches they played out. 'I'll be honest, I was really frustrated after the last World Cup in New Zealand, because I didn't think we were good enough. 'We've probably changed our prep around this one a little bit. We probably did too much prep-wise and then when we got there it was kind of 'We're here now', whereas we've kind of built up and it's about the event now. We've learned a lot around that and I think we're in a pretty good spot.' Certainly, Scotland have gained a well of experience since their trip to the Southern Hemisphere. As well as a brief stint at No 5 in the world, they've taken home the WXV2 title in Canada, and had a run of seven wins on the trot in 2023 and 2024. They now prepare for a stint against Wales, Fiji and Canada in Pool B, with a challenging opener against the Welsh — a side they beat 24-21 in this year's Six Nations. That, however, could count for little on the day — as Wales continue to improve under head coach, Sean Lynn. 'Scotland-Wales games are always difficult,' admitted the Scotland coach. 'These games have been tight over the last few years. 'We know how physical Wales are. We know exactly what to expect. We've played against them I don't know how many times recently. 'We've played them before at WXV as well. We know each other inside out. The players play against each other, whether it be Celtic Challenge or PWR. So we know it's going to be physical. We know it's going to come down to 80 minutes. 'The last World Cup game was 82 minutes. Six Nations games have been 78, 79, 80 minutes as well. The girls have worked really hard on the fitness. 'You saw it from the game against Italy. We finished off really well. We saw the game against Ireland and we started really well. 'I feel we're in a good space. We are well prepared and we just want to go now.' According to Easson, the arrival of attack coach Steve Shingler is already making an impact. The former player came in to Scottish Rugby in June, on secondment from PWR side Ealing Trailfinders Women, and Easson says the ex-Scarlets, London Irish, Cardiff, Mont-de-Marsan and Trailfinders man has impressed so far in his work within the Scotland camp. 'Yes, he has,' expressed Easson. 'I like the way he works. Obviously, we've sat down quite a lot. 'The two of us have worked quite closely, looking at our strengths in terms of individuals. We've designed a lot of plays around certain individuals and how we want to look at stuff. But obviously, a lot of plays are designed around what we've seen in Wales, too. 'We've not given too much away in terms of Italy and Ireland. We've looked at some shapes and structures, but you've got to keep some stuff up your sleeve as well.' That, indeed, could prove critical when it comes to their pool dynamics. Canada are roundly being seen as the tournament's 'dark horses', and will be confident of topping their group. Scotland's match against Wales therefore, could prove pivotal in terms of progression to the quarter-finals. The top two from each pool make it through to the last eight in the 16-team tournament, and a quarter-final place is achievable for Easson's team. 'Yes, of course. World Cups are different, aren't they, because you do get the opportunity in pre-season to get your squad together for a little bit longer,' he said. 'Going into a Six Nations you potentially have a week to two weeks maximum. 'We have had five, six weeks together plus two Test matches, so eight or nine weeks to be able to look at our fitness and the way we want to play. We obviously don't want to play exactly the way we did in the Six Nations. We've looked at our strengths and weaknesses. Wales are doing the same. 'We've focused on Wales. We're not looking beyond Wales. We're not looking at Fiji or Canada — we're looking at the first one and then we'll move on after that. 'We know the challenge that's ahead of us. And we're not taking it lightly and I'm sure Wales are the same.'
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Connacht power past Ulster in the second period
Irish Women's Interprovincial Championship, Dexcom StadiumConnacht 12 (0)Tries: Oviawe, Maher. Con: Nic DhonnachaUlster 7 (7)Try: Sheerin. Con: SheerinYellow card: Barr (36)A dominant second half performance saw Connacht secure victory in the Women's Interprovincial Championship against Ulster in win came at a cost, with Emer O'Dowd's side losing half-back pair Kayla Waldron and Grainne Moran to second half injuries but they absorbed those blows to began brightly but were unable to gain any traction in the second period as their half-time advantage was overturned by a pair of Connacht tries in the space of six minutes as their wait for a win continues following last week's defeat to made a great start in Galway as early pressure eventually led to Siobhan Sheerin bursting through to score before adding the conversion with eight minutes they couldn't build upon this as Connacht stood up to some follow-up turned up the heat late in the half with Ulster losing vice-captain Brenda Barr to the sin bin but they couldn't capitalise as Ulster retained their 7-0 advantage at the hosts had numerical advantage for the first six minutes of the second half and they laid siege to the Ulster line, but the visitors held initially firm as Barr was held up for over 15 minutes as Connacht's Waldron was stretchered off with what appeared to be a leg injury, but the fly-half gave a thumbs up on her way off the pitch as her team maintained the pressure when the game Connacht camped on the Ulster line, they finally breached the defence with replacement Faith Oviawe crossing and Éabha Nic Dhonnacha converted to level the game in the 55th was with the hosts as a downfield kick had them back inside the 22 and after further pressure, Roisin Maher drove over for the lead hosts were dealt a further injury blow with scrum-half Moran also stretchered off, but they again absorbed this hit to see out the game and bounce back from last week's defeat to Clara Barrett, Emily Foley, Orla Dixon, Éabha Nic Dhonnacha (capt), Hannah Clarke, Kayla Waldron, Grainne Moran; Hannah Coen, Lily Brady, Roisin Maher, Poppy Garvey, Grace Browne Moran, Beibhinn Gleeson, Ailish Quinn, Jemima Adams Stacy Hanley, Ellen Connolly, Hope Lowney, Faith Oviawe, Caoilfhionn Morrissey, Lesley Ring, Ava Ryder, Fódhla Ní Bhraoná Kate Farrell-McCabe, Lucy Thompson, Siohbán Sheerin, Tara O'Neill, Niamh Marley, Lauren Farrell McCabe, Georgia Boyce; Sarah Roberts, Maebh Clenaghan, Ava Fannin, Lauren Darley, Brenda Barr, Moya Hill, Ruby Starrett, India Daley (capt).Replacements: Cara McLean, Megan Simpson, Sophie Barrett, Rebecca Beacom, Katie Hetherington, Sophie Meeke, Kelly McCormill, Stacey Sloan.
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Glens, Carrick and Ports win as Reds and Coleraine draw
Glentoran made it back-to-back wins to start the Irish Premiership season as they beat Bangor 1-0 at the Rangers also picked up a second successive victory as they defeated Glenavon 1-0 at Taylors Avenue courtesy of Danny Gibson's got off and running with a thumping 4-1 win against nine-man Dungannon Swifts, who have lost their first two and Coleraine played out a drab 0-0 draw at Solitude. Glens grab second league win After a slow start, Glentoran came within a whisker of opening the scoring midway through the first Cooney latched onto Ciaran Coll's cross-field pass and delivered a low cross into the area but the in-rushing Jordan Jenkins could only fire a shot off the underside of the crossbar from close took a brilliant save by Gareth Deane to prevent the home side going in front four minutes before the interval as he dived to his right to superbly turn away Jordan Stewart's powerful header from Daniel Larmour's spurned a glorious chance on 57 minutes after Tiarnan Mulvenna dispossessed defender Shane McEleney and cut the ball back across goal, but Michael Morgan's effort was saved by the face of Glentoran goalkeeper Andrew eventually broke the deadlock on 67 minutes when Kyle Owens' attempted back header to his keeper was intercepted by Cooney, who nipped in to poke the ball past Deane and the Glens were able to hold on relatively comfortably to record back-to-back 1-0 victories in the league. Carrick edge past Glenavon Glenavon stopper Jacob Carney was called into action early in the match to gather both Adam Lecky's header and Danny Gibson's effort before, at the other end, Davy McDaid sent an effort just wide after connecting with Paddy Burns' broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when Paul Heatley's cross from near the byeline was fired home by Gibson from close range, for his third goal in the opening two Steele then tried to give the home side a more comfortable lead before the break, but the alert Carney denied his strong the restart, the away side believed that Stephen Mallon's set piece was handled in the box. However, referee Evan Boyce waved away their penalty Glenavon pushed for a late equaliser, Jimmy Callacher made a crucial clearance off the line to divert substitute Michael O'Connor's strike away from then went straight down the other end and Gibson had a chance to add to his tally for the afternoon, but his shot took a deflection and was quickly gathered by Carney. Stalemate at Solitude The points were shared at Solitude as defences dominated in a scoreless started brightly and Rory Hale flashed a shot from distance narrowly past the far post in the opening Cliftonville defender Levi Ives forced debutant goalkeeper PJ Morrison into a smart save moments later before Jamie Glackin passed up the best chance of the first half, failing to find the target following fine play by right winger Lewis Campbell was forced off with injury following a tussle with Charles Dunne just before the break and Jim Magilton's woes were compounded moments after the restart when Luke Conlan was also forced off introduction of Eric McWoods injected pace into the Reds' attack and he presented Ryan Curran with the best chance of the game with 20 minutes remaining, but the striker steered his effort just the wrong side of the himself came close to breaking the deadlock in the closing minutes but his spectacular overhead effort lacked power and was comfortably dealt with by visiting goalkeeper Aidan McManus headed wide from a Ronan Doherty cross in the final minute of normal time but there was late drama still to Gormley was waiting to pounce after a Jonny Addis long throw in made its way across goal but somehow Dean Jarvis, not long on the pitch, hooked the ball off the goal line to preserve a point for the to follow.
