Winning away games key for World Cup preparation
Women's Six Nations: Wales v IrelandVenue: Rodney Parade Date: Sunday, 20 April Kick-off: 15:00 BSTCoverage: Watch on BBC One Wales, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport online
Ireland head coach Scott Bemand says becoming accustomed to picking up positive results away from home is an important part of his side's preparation for this year's Women's Rugby World Cup in England.The Irish beat then world ranked number one side New Zealand and the USA as part of their WXV1 campaign in Canada in the autumn and ended a four-year wait for a victory on the road in the Women's Six Nations when they overcame Italy 54-12 in Parma last month.Bemand's side finish this year's tournament with trips to Wales and Scotland."There were some things we had to tick off. We hadn't won away since 2021 at the start of this competition," reflected the Ireland coach before this weekend's trip to Newport to face the Welsh."In terms of building a group and building some experiences that tee us up for the future, obviously a World Cup coming over the horizon, winning away is really important."We've said we want to go after winning games away from home because that's going to be a massive part of the World Cup so us backing the Italy piece up by going away from home and taking the green wave over there is going to be a massive thing for us."
Playing away 'brings different challenges'
Ireland sit third in the Six Nations table with two rounds of fixtures still to play, well off the pace being set by table toppers England and France, who have both seen off the challenge of the Irish.Wales have lost all of their first three matches but Bemand expects a stiff challenge against a renowned rugby nation."I grew up fairly close to Wales and I understand what it's like to play in Wales. It's an unbelievable experience. They're passionate about their rugby."It [playing away from home] brings different challenges. Away from home you've got the noise, the atmosphere, the occasion, and we've got to learn to deal with that and get excited by it."So still a young group. I've seen nothing in the eyes but good energy to get over there and get the job done. It's not going to be easy but we're fully ready for that."Bemand has regular captain Edel McMahon available again for this weekend's encounter at Rodney Parade after missing the defeat by England last time out."She brings some bang with the tackles and she brings an extra component of leadership back to the group," said Bemand. "Enya Breen is back in the melting pot too [after injury].On a more downbeat note, back row Erin King will miss the remainder of the competition, and has also been ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining a serious knee injury.
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