Canada perfect litmus test in final warm-up match before the Women's World Cup for Scott Bemand's Ireland team
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The 42
a day ago
- The 42
Australia stage remarkable comeback to shock South Africa
Updated at 18.30 CAPTAIN AND No 8 Harry Wilson scored two tries as Australia staged a remarkable comeback to stun South Africa 38-22 in the 2025 Rugby Championship opener in Johannesburg on Saturday. Trailing by 22 points after 19 minutes, the Wallabies scored 38 unanswered points for a first victory over the Springboks in the South African economic capital since 1963. Backs Dylan Pietsch, Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii, Max Jorgensen and Tom Wright were the other Australian try scorers, and veteran James O'Connor converted four. Kurt-Lee Arendse, Andre Esterhuizen and captain Siya Kolisi crossed the line for the defending champions. Manie Libbok converted twice and slotted a penalty. Record four-time Rugby World Cup winners South Africa were unstoppable in the early stages on a grey evening at Ellis Park, with scrum-half Grant Williams playing a key role. Advertisement His perfectly weighted box kicks allowed the Springboks to establish an aerial advantage, and the power of the forwards had the visitors reeling. When Kolisi crossed for the third try, it was hard to imagine what was to follow in the first game of the southern hemisphere championship. The first hint that a stunning revival was imminent came on 29 minutes when Pietsch scored. He was forced to retire injured soon after, following a collision with Kolisi. Australia dominated the second half, helped by endless basic errors from South Africa. When Wilson scored his second try on 64 minutes, Australia took a 24-22 lead. The Springboks were let down by a lack of pace and by missed tackles on defence in the closing stages. Jorgensen and Wright took advantage to end a run of seven straight Wallaby losses in Johannesburg. Argentina host New Zealand later on Saturday in Cordoba in the other first round match. – © AFP 2025
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- RTÉ News
Dannah O'Brien 'happy enough here' with no England plans
Ireland out-half Dannah O'Brien has no plans switch to the Premiership Women's Rugby league in England declaring she is "happy" where she is. Many of the Carlow woman's international team-mates ply their trade in England, while star flanker Aoife Wafer will join Harlequins after the Rugby World Cup. Sam Monaghan, Neve Jones and Ellena Perry line out with Gloucester-Hartpury, while Edel McMahon, Clíodhna Moloney MacDonald and Nancy McGillivray are at Exeter. Grace Moore plays for London-based Trailfinders. O'Brien, who made her Ireland debut in 2022 and has 26 caps, plays for Leinster and the Wolfhounds in the Celtic Challenge and is centrally contracted to the IRFU. Despite a British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand on the horizon in two years' time, O'Brien is satisfied that home is the best place for her to continue her development. "Not for me personally in the next while, I'm happy enough here," the 21-year-old told RTÉ Sport. "The facilities we have here are unbelievable. "The programme we have is [great]. "I've definitely seen improvements in my game in the last few years. "The Celtic Challenge is up and coming and will improve massively in the next few years. "Yeah, I'll be here for a while." O'Brien's only focus is on the World Cup where Ireland will begin their Pool C campaign against Japan on Sunday week. After a wooden-spoon finish in the 2023 Six Nations, Ireland have managed consecutive third-place finishes in the championship, while they claimed the WXV3 title two years ago. Wins over Australia in friendly last year and the WXV1 victory over New Zealand have raised expectations among fans, and O'Brien insists they have the belief to continue that upward trajectory in England. "Maybe [there's a bit more pressure]," she said. "For us, the way we see it is we've built the stepping stones onto the next level, we know we are capable of competing with the best in the world. "It's proof we can go over there and achieve great things. "Last year, playing against New Zealand, there was just a sense of belief that we could beat them. "I think we have a lot of the work done and it's about getting a bit of belief together in each other. "If we do take it step by step I think we'll have a good shot." The Ireland rugby squad have arrived in England ahead of their opening game in the Women's World Cup where they take on Japan. #RTERugby — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 15, 2025 Back-to-back World Cup winners Black Ferns await in round three but Ireland, without influential injured forwards Erin King and Dorothy Wall, aren't thinking that far ahead, with tough battles ahead against Japan and Spain up first. "It's about not looking too far forward," said O'Brien, who arrived to England with the rest of the squad on Friday. "This week is about Japan, going over and getting settled in to training. "They are going to turn up looking to get a win. We'll take each game as it comes. "We've had a good few younger players and returning players coming back in for pre-season. "Obviously, we are going to miss Dorothy and Erin, they were a huge part of our team but there have been a good few players filling in those roles.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- RTÉ News
Vodafone Women's Interprovincials Round 2: All you need to know
Fixtures Round 2: Saturday August 16th Leinster v Munster, Energia Park, 2.30pm Connacht v Ulster, Dexcom Stadium, 4.15pm TV Watch both games on TG4's YouTube channel. Online Match reports available post-game on RTÉ Sport Online and RTÉ News app. Round two of the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial series promises to be a gripping weekend as we get a repeat of last year's final between Leinster and Munster, while Connacht welcome a strong-looking Ulster squad to the Dexcom Stadium in Galway. , albeit in different styles. Reigning champions Leinster had to battle until the end in their imperfect victory over Ulster. A hat-trick of tries from debutant Emma Brogan helped them to squeeze past Murray Houston's side 37-21, but that game was in the balance until the final quarter. Munster, however, had no stress in their only home game of the series against Connacht. The 2022 champions squad ran out 44-5 winners, also fuelled by a hat-trick from their winger Chisom Ugweru, sister of Clare footballer Ikem Ugweru. Leinster v Munster Kicking off the round we have a mouthwatering clash in Donnybrook where Munster are the visitors to Energia Park, as they take on last year's winners. These two sides have been evenly matched in recent years, with both teams winning one game apiece in last season's competition. Munster were the victors in the pool stages, before Leinster got over the line in the final. However, given Ireland's impending Rugby World Cup exploits, there's a new look to both sets of squads. Leinster head coach Ben Martin has made two changes from last week's victory with Irish international Vicky Elmes Kinlan returning. The Sevens' star makes her Leinster debut at centre with Ellie O'Sullivan-Sexton also starting at full-back. There are three more potential debutants on the bench in Hannah Wilson, Alma Atagamen and Heidi Lyons. Munster have also freshened up proceedings with three switches to the starting 15 and more in reserve. Aoife Fleming makes her first provincial start in the front row, while Clodagh O'Halloran comes in on the flank. Ennis' Orna Moynihan also earns her first start on the right wing. Ireland's Deirbhile Nic a Bháird returns to the Munster bench alongside fellow international Jane Clohessy. Leinster: Ellie O'Sullivan-Sexton; Emma Brogan, Kathy Baker, Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Maggie Boylan; Nikki Caughey, Jade Gaffney; Aoife Moore, Lisa Callan, Katie Layde; Clíodhna Ní Chonchobhair, Kate Jordan; Ciara Short, Molly Boyne (capt), Jane Neill. Replacements: Kelly Burke, Hannah Wilson, Clodagh Dunne, Alma Atagamen, Rosie Searle, Katie Whelan, Heidi Lyons, Katie Corrigan. Munster: Aoife Corey; Orna Moynihan, Alana McInerney, Stephanie Nunan, Chisom Ugwueru; Caitriona Finn, Abbie Salter-Townshend; Gráinne Burke, Aoife Fleming, Eilís Cahill; Aoibhe O'Flynn, Claire Bennett; Clodagh O'Halloran, Maeve Óg O'Leary (capt), Chloe Pearse. Replacements: Ciara McLoughlin, Emma Dunican, Lily Morris, Jane Clohessy, Deirbhile Nic a Bháird, Eve Prendergast, Lucia Linn, Kate Flannery. Connacht v Ulster The evening tie of the round sees Ulster travel down to Galway to take on Connacht, with both sides looking for their first win of the season. Ravenhill was the venue for both of their meetings last season, with Connacht taking the spoils once, and a drawn game in the other encounter. Connacht have also made a handful of changes following their defeat in Cork a week ago. Hannah Coen, Roisin Maher, Kayla Waldron, Ailish Quinn and Hannah Clarke come into the starting side with Ellen Connolly, Hope Lowney and Faith Oviawe among the reserves. Quinn and Oviawe were both a part of Ireland's training squad over the summer. Ulster have also shuffled the deck and gone for a 6:2 bench split for the trip to Galway. Ava Fannin and Moya Hill start in the pack with Niamh Marley moving to the wing to allow Kate Farrell-McCabe to start in the number 15 shirt. Sophie Meeke and Kelly McCormill offer the backline bench option. Connacht: 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 Verling. Replacements: Stacy Hanley, Ellen Connolly, Hope Lowney, Faith Oviawe, Caoilfhionn Morrissey, Lesley Ring, Ava Ryder, Fódhla Ní Bhraonáin. Ulster: 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).
