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Irish Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Scott Bemand happy with how Ireland are shaping up for Rugby World Cup despite Canada defeat
World Cup warm-up: Ireland 26 Canada 47 Ireland head coach Scott Bemand admitted he is pleased overall with what he saw from his side during their two Women's Rugby World Cup warm-up fixtures. After coming from behind to claim a 27-21 victory over Scotland in Cork seven days earlier, Ireland were seeking to ramp up their preparations for the forthcoming tournament in England by recording another win against Canada at Affidea Stadium in Belfast on Saturday. However, Kevin Rouet's Maple Leafs showed just they are seen as one of the main contenders for the World Cup and they effectively placed the outcome beyond doubt by moving into a 40-7 lead with 25 minutes remaining. Yet before Canadian lock Sophie de Goede completed the scoring on the stroke of full-time, Ireland registered 19 unanswered points to provide themselves with plenty of encouragement from the game. READ MORE 'I'm happy with what we've looked at, I'm happy that we've come out of pre-season having tested a few things that we may need in the next, call it eight weeks. Now it's just about delivering it when the pressure truly is on,' remarked Bemand, who used a total of 30 players over the course of Ireland's two warm-up games. 'The work that we've done in the build-up to this has prepared us well for a test against a World Cup contender. There's a bit of a breeze here today, so there was always going to be points within that breeze. There's a learning piece about how we control momentum in the first half when you're playing into it. 'You look at momentum in the middle of the pitch that Canada managed to win and then that gives penalties. It gives entries into a 22 and they're a good team when they get those entries. That told on the scoreboard in the first half [Canada led 33-7 at the interval].' Ireland's Ruth Campbell is tackled by Claire Gallagher of Canada during the game in Belfast. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho In addition to Erin King and Dorothy Wall already being ruled out of contention before Ireland's preparation for the World Cup began in June, there has also been some concern surrounding the fitness of Edel McMahon, Aoife Wafer and Christy Haney in recent weeks. It remains to see if this triumvirate will be included in the final squad for the tournament when it is announced on Monday morning, but Bemand is relieved that Ireland emerged from Saturday's game without any fresh injury concerns. Although Brittany Hogan was replaced by Claire Boles on 56 minutes – a short while after receiving on-field treatment from the Irish medics – Bemand insisted this was a case of erring on the side of caution. 'This stage of going into a World Cup, you want to come out of these games intact. You want your players okay and we've come out of that relatively intact, so I'm delighted about that. Britt, it's actually nothing too serious. Just as you go through, you get the odd bump and bruise,' Bemand said. 'We retain the right to be a little bit cautious and take people off a little bit early. If this was a quarter-final, she could have stayed on. Britt's obviously a big player and has been the last two years. I'm happy with how our medics have operated. 'We are in constant communication on the sideline. 'Who's under pressure, who's got a niggle'. Where it sits, what it looks like for next week. We've plans put in place. We've got a small scenario and we can be a little bit protective here.' Down 14-0 in the first half of their eventual triumph against Scotland, Ireland found themselves adrift by the same margin in Belfast following converted opening quarter tries for Canada from Florence Symonds and Justine Pelletier. Ireland's Béibhinn Parsons scores a try against Canada. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho The hosts eventually opened their account when Béibhinn Parsons dotted down on 20 minutes, but even though their opponents had lost Daleaka Menin to a yellow card just before that, Symonds bagged a second converted try in her temporary absence. The returning Menin was then on hand to cross over after Ireland's starting skipper Neve Jones was sent to the sinbin herself and a stoppage-time try from Paige Farries ensured that Canada established a commanding 26-point interval buffer. Despite looking far brighter on the resumption, Ireland conceded a sixth try when Canada fullback Julia Schell was on hand to finish off a breakaway move. Yet the Irish finally enjoyed a purple patch either side of the third-quarter mark and Anna McGann did her chances of future selection no harm by bagging tries in the 59th and 62nd minutes. The aforementioned Parsons joined her fellow winger McGann in finishing the game on a brace of tries as she rounded off an extended attack on 71 minutes. But it was Canada who had the final say with a late converted score from De Goede. Scorers – Ireland: B Parsons, A McGann 2 tries each, D O'Brien 3 cons. Canada: S de Goede try, 6 cons; F Symonds 2 tries; J Pelletier, D Menin, P Farries, J Schell try each. IRELAND: S Flood; B Parsons, A Dalton, E Breen, A McGann; D O'Brien, A Reilly; N O'Dowd, N Jones, L Djougang; R Campbell, F Tuite; G Moore, I Kiripati, B Hogan. Replacements: C Moloney-MacDonald for Kiripati (31-40 mins); S Monaghan for Kiripati (h-t); E Higgins for Breen (52); E Perry for O'Dowd, C Moloney-MacDonald for Jones, C Boles for Hogan (all 56); E Lane for Reilly, E Corri Fallon for Campbell (both 66); S McGrath for Djougang (71). CANADA: J Schell; A Corrigan, F Symonds, A Tessier, P Farries; C Gallagher, J Pelletier; M Hunt, G Boag, D Menin; S de Goede, T Beukeboom; K Paquin, C Crossley, F Forteza. Replacements: S Seumanutafa for Tessier (24 mins); O Demerchant for Farries (26-30); O Demerchant for Menin (h-t); B Kassil for Hunt, E Tuttosi for Boag (both 52); O Apps for Pelletier, P Buisa for Paquin both (56); C O'Donnell for Buisa (60); S-M Lachance for Symonds (68). Referee: A Groizeleau (France).
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Ireland face stiffest of tests against class Canadian side in Belfast
All warm-up games come with a health warning and Ireland's meeting with Canada in Belfast will be no different. Whatever happens in what is now Affidea Stadium on Saturday, it will exist as little more than a footnote once the upcoming World Cup is put to bed. That's not to say that this doesn't hold some interest. Ireland head coach Scott Bemand spoke this week about the pleasing 'flow' of their two tee-ups. Last week's opener brought a come-from-behind rust-buster against the Scots in Cork. This second and last trial run isn't so much as a step up as a minor leap of faith. Kevin Rouet's side are ranked second in the world, sandwiched between tournament hosts and favourites England and a Black Ferns side that starts as reigning champions but one that has lost to and drawn with Canada twice in Christchurch this last two years. The visitors here have already stuffed South Africa twice, once in Pretoria and again in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) on a combined score of 83-25. The USA were beaten up a stick on a score of 42-10 in Ottawa last week. Neither may be powerhouses but still. This will be the seventh game since the start of May for Canada who have already named a 32-strong World Cup squad that includes seven silver medallists from last year's Olympics in Paris. More than half of them will be on view in Belfast. Captain and centre Alexandra Tressier was nominated for player of the year in 2024. Second row Sophie de Goede, recently back to fitness after over a year out, was in World Rugby's dream team last year and in 2022. Threats are everywhere. In all, 21 of their named squad took part at the last tournament in New Zealand when they were edged out by the hosts in the semi-final. Three of them - Tyson Beukeboom, Olivia DeMerchant and Karen Paquin - will be doing this for a fourth time. 'We're under no illusion that this is going to be a hard match,' said Ireland No.8 Brittany Hogan. 'We are going to have to earn every single inch that we play against them. They're a very physically dominant team, but we just have to match it.' What's remarkable is how Canada are doing this on a shoestring budget. A 'Mission: Win Rugby World Cup (MWRWC)' campaign was launched to try and raise CA$1m for the team for this latest bid and is now almost 90% of the way towards its target. Ireland's women are, belatedly, better resourced than ever and the senior team's initial progress kicked up the gears late last year when Scott Bemand's side shocked the Black Ferns in WXV1s in Canada before pushing the hosts all the way a week later. A 21-8 defeat for the Six Nations side against this latest opponent was the end result there, but a couple of first-half yellow cards had proven crucial to the tie with the Canadians already leading 21-5 by the half-time break. That one still hurts some. 'Yeah, definitely, we were very frustrated after that game, and that goes to show the growth of the group as well,' said Hogan. 'Like, being really frustrated about losing, not pretty narrowly, but it was quite a tight score as well. 'They only scored whenever we were down to 13 players, and it was a very frustrating end to the game. We felt like we left a lot of scores and a lot of things out there. So we're hoping to show what we can do against them this weekend.' The likelihood is that Ireland at their best exist somewhere in the middle between the seventh-ranked Scots team defeated last week and the Canadian side they face this time around. Not least with the likes of Erin King, Dorothy Wall and Aoife Wafer all injured. Only Wafer of that trio stands a chance of playing in the World Cup, while the experienced Edel McMahon and Christy Haney will have no playing time under their belts going to the tournament in England due to respective hamstring and knee problems. It is Haney's problem that opened the door for former England loosehead Ellena Perry to make the bench for Ireland here with Bemand making ten changes in all to the side that fronted up in Virgin Media Park seven days before. Maybe two-thirds of this XV would make up Ireland's first-choice side with another experienced cohort poised off the bench. For the rest, this is the last chance to strengthen individual cases with the squad to be named on Monday. Ireland: S Flood; B Parsons, A Dalton, E Breen, A McGann; D O'Brien, A Reilly; N O'Dowd, N Jones, L Djougang; R Campbell, F Tuite; G Moore, I Kiripati, B Hogan. Canada: J Schell; A Corrigan, F Symonds, A Tessier, P Farries; C Gallagher, J Pelletier; M Hunt, G Boag, D Menin; S de Goede, T Beukeboom; K Paquin, C Crossley, F Forteza. Referee: A Groizeleau (FFR).
CTV News
5 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Canada coach makes three changes for final tune-up game ahead of Rugby World Cup
Canada's Alysha Corrigan, right, tries to elude Ireland's Fiona Tuite during WXV 1 women's rugby union action, in Langley, B.C., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns Canada coach Kevin Rouet has made three changes to his lineup for Saturday's test match against No. 5 Ireland, the second-ranked Canadians' last outing ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Caroline Crossley slots into the back row, replacing Gabrielle Senft, with Fabiola Forteza shifting to No. 8. Justine Pelletier, who came off the bench in the 42-10 win over the U.S. in Ottawa last Friday, starts at scrum half while Olivia Apps moves to the bench. Alysha Corrigan returns at wing. Back Sarah-Maude Lachance, among the replacements, is in line for her first appearance since May 2 when she came off the bench to score a try against the U.S. in Pacific Four Series play in Kansas City. Saturday's game is at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. The teams last met in October at the WXV 1 tournament with Canada winning 21-8 in Langley, B.C. Canada is 3-1-0 all-time against the Irish, also winning 48-17 in Dublin in 2016 and 57-0 at the 2002 World Cup, and losing 15-8 in 2006 in Galway. 'The World Cup is right around the corner, so this last warm-up game is going to very important for the team,' Rouet said in a statement. 'We have been building for the last three years, so I know we are ready for the World Cup, but this game against Ireland is one last opportunity to focus on the details of our game and system to make sure we are as prepared as possible for the World Cup. 'Ireland will be a tough opponent, they showed that to us last year at WXV, so we have to be ready for the challenge on Saturday. They are a top-five team in the world.' Irish coach Scott Bemand has made 10 changes to the starting lineup that rallied from a 14-0 deficit to beat No. 8 Scotland 27-21 last weekend in Cork. 'It's a great chance for us to see how far we've come,' Bemand, speaking after the win over Scotland, said of the Canada test. 'We wanted to build performance momentum, and there's areas of that game where we can say we have. 'We've got new caps on the pitch, we're building our depth all the time. Now we're ready to go and test it against a World Cup contender.' Canada, which finished fourth at the last World Cup in November 2022, opens World Cup play in England against No. 14 Fiji on Aug. 23 in York, then faces No. 9 Wales on Aug. 30 in Manchester and Scotland on Sept. 6 in Exeter. The Irish, who finished third in Six Nations play this year at 2-3-0 behind No. 1 England and No. 4 France, are in Pool C with No. 3 New Zealand, No. 11 Japan and No. 13 Spain. Canada Roster McKinley Hunt, King City, Ont., Saracens (England); Gillian Boag, Calgary, Capilano RFC; DaLeaka Menin, Vulcan, Alta., Exeter Chiefs (England); Sophie de Goede, Victoria, Saracens (England); Tyson Beukeboom, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Karen Paquin, Quebec City, Club de rugby de Quebec; Caroline Crossley, Victoria, Castaway Wanderers; Fabiola Forteza, Quebec City, Stade Bordelais (France); Justine Pelletier, Riviere-du-Loup, Que., Stade Bordelais (France); Claire Gallagher, Caledon, Ont., Leicester Tigers (England); Paige Farries, Red Deer, Alta., Saracens (England); Alex Tessier, Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England); Florence Symonds, Vancouver, UBC; Alysha Corrigan, Charlottetown, P.E.I.; Saracens (England); Julia Schell, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England). Replacements Emily Tuttosi, Souris, Man., Exeter Chiefs (England); Brittany Kassil, Guelph, Ont., Guelph Goats; Olivia DeMerchant, Mapledale, N.B., Halifax Tars RFC; Courtney O'Donnell, Rimbey, Alta., Red Deer Titans Rugby; Pamphinette Buisa, Gatineau, Que., Ottawa Irish; Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC; Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Counties Manukau, (New Zealand); Sarah-Maude Lachance, Victoriaville, Que., Stade Bordelais (France). --- This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 7, 2025 Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
Globe and Mail
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Globe and Mail
Pacific Four Series title up for grabs as Canada women wrap up tournament play
Canada takes on Australia in its Pacific Four Series rugby finale Friday at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, knowing a bonus-point win may not be enough to retain its title. The second-ranked Canadian women (1-0-1) and No. 3 New Zealand (1-0-1) are tied atop the standings with eight points after their 27-27 draw last Saturday in Christchurch. No. 6 Australia (1-1-0, five points) is mathematically still in the title hunt. New Zealand, which hosts the ninth-ranked United States (0-2-0) on Saturday in North Harbour, goes into weekend play with a tiebreaker edge over Canada – holding a plus-26 points differential compared to plus-12 for Canada. The Canadians will look to maximize their points return Friday by beating Australia and scoring four tries for a bonus point. They will then have to wait and see what happens in New Zealand. 'This final match versus Australia is once again just another opportunity to test ourselves against a top team in the world,' Canada coach Kevin Rouet said in a statement. 'There was some disappointment amongst the team after the draw against New Zealand last week but we know if we fix some of the details in our game that we can come back with a strong performance against Australia. It is a short week to prepare but I am confident in our group.' Rouet makes changes in the forwards with front-rowers McKinley Hunt and Gillian Boag slotting in and veteran Tyson Beukeboom in the second row in place of Laetitia Royer, who shifts to blindside flanker with Fabiola Forteza moving to No. 8 in place of Gabrielle Senft. Olivia Apps starts at scrum half and Krissy Scurfield comes in for Asia Hogan-Rochester on the wing. Both Senft and Hogan-Rochester were injured against New Zealand. Captain Alex Tessier had to leave when she failed a head injury assessment during the game but the influential centre has been cleared to play Friday. Canada opened tournament play with a 26-14 win over the U.S. on May 2 in Kansas City. Australia lost its opener 38-12 to New Zealand in Newcastle, Australia, before bouncing back to beat the U.S. 27-19 in Canberra. Australia coach Jo Yapp has made five changes to the Wallaroos starting lineup with sevens star Charlotte Caslick slotting into inside centre. There is a new front row and six of the eight replacements are forwards. 'Canada is a strong side that will provide a physical challenge for us on Friday,' said Yapp. Canada won last year's Pacific Four Series with its first-ever victory over New Zealand, defeating the Black Ferns 22-19 in Christchurch. The Canadian women had lost all 17 meetings with the Black Ferns before that, with 10 of those defeats by 27 points or more. New Zealand had outscored Canada 718-176 before last Saturday's game. The Pacific Four Series marks the Canadian women's first time together this year ahead of the World Cup, which runs Aug. 22 to Sept. 27 in England. Canada has been drawn in Pool B with No. 7 Scotland, No. 10 Wales and No. 16 Fiji. Canada also won the inaugural Pacific Four Series in 2021, when the event consisted of a two-game series with the U.S. due to COVID travel restrictions. The Canadians finished runner-up to New Zealand in 2022 and 2023 when the competition was expanded to four teams. Canada has an 11-5-1 record since losing 36-0 to France in the third-place game at the World Cup in November, 2022. Four of those losses were to England, with the other to New Zealand. In other tournament news, U.S. sevens star Alev Kelter has been banned for three matches after being sent off in the loss to Australia for violent conduct – stamping on the head of the Australian player on the ground. 'There was contact with the head by the player's boot,' an independent disciplinary committee ruled. 'The player repeatedly stamped her foot and deliberately so but the Committee accepted the player's evidence that she did not intend to contact the head. 'On careful review of the footage, and considering the player's evidence and submission, the Committee found that the player was not deliberately targeting the head of the Australian player, but rather was reckless in her actions (as she accepted).'
Hamilton Spectator
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Pacific Four Series title up for grabs as Canada women wrap up tournament play
Canada takes on Australia in its Pacific Four Series rugby finale Friday at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, knowing a bonus-point win may not be enough to retain its title. The second-ranked Canadian women (1-0-1) and No. 3 New Zealand (1-0-1) are tied atop the standings with eight points after their 27-27 draw last Saturday in Christchurch. No. 6 Australia (1-1-0, five points) is mathematically still in the title hunt. New Zealand, which hosts the ninth-ranked United States (0-2-0) on Saturday in North Harbour, goes into weekend play with a tiebreaker edge over Canada — holding a plus-26 points differential compared to plus-12 for Canada. The Canadians will look to maximize their points return Friday by beating Australia and scoring four tries for a bonus point. They will then have to wait and see what happens in New Zealand. Should both Canada and New Zealand record bonus-point victories, the Canadians would need to win by at least 15 more points than the Back Ferns beat the U.S. by to retain their title. 'This final match versus Australia is once again just another opportunity to test ourselves against a top team in the world,' Canada coach Kevin Rouet said in a statement. 'There was some disappointment amongst the team after the draw against New Zealand last week but we know if we fix some of the details in our game that we can come back with a strong performance against Australia. It is a short week to prepare but I am confident in our group.' Rouet makes changes in the forwards with front-rowers McKinley Hunt and Gillian Boag slotting in and veteran Tyson Beukeboom in the second row in place of Laetitia Royer, who shifts to blindside flanker with Fabiola Forteza moving to No. 8 in place of Gabrielle Senft. Olivia Apps starts at scrum half and Krissy Scurfield comes in for Asia Hogan-Rochester on the wing. Both Senft and Hogan-Rochester were injured against New Zealand. Captain Alex Tessier had to leave when she failed a head injury assessment during the game but the influential centre has been cleared to play Friday. Canada opened tournament play with a 26-14 win over the U.S. on May 2 in Kansas City. Australia lost its opener 38-12 to New Zealand in Newcastle, Australia, before bouncing back to beat the U.S. 27-19 in Canberra. Australia coach Jo Yapp has made five changes to the Wallaroos starting lineup with sevens star Charlotte Caslick slotting into inside centre. There is a new front row and six of the eight replacements are forwards. 'Canada is a strong side that will provide a physical challenge for us on Friday,' said Yapp. Canada won last year's Pacific Four Series with its first-ever victory over New Zealand, defeating the Black Ferns 22-19 in Christchurch. The Canadian women had lost all 17 meetings with the Black Ferns before that, with 10 of those defeats by 27 points or more. New Zealand had outscored Canada 718-176 before last Saturday's game. The Pacific Four Series marks the Canadian women's first time together this year ahead of the World Cup, which runs Aug. 22 to Sept. 27 in England. Canada has been drawn in Pool B with No. 7 Scotland, No. 10 Wales and No. 16 Fiji. Canada also won the inaugural Pacific Four Series in 2021, when the event consisted of a two-game series with the U.S. due to COVID travel restrictions. The Canadians finished runner-up to New Zealand in 2022 and 2023 when the competition was expanded to four teams. Canada has an 11-5-1 record since losing 36-0 to France in the third-place game at the World Cup in November 2022. Four of those losses were to England, with the other to New Zealand. In other tournament news, U.S. sevens star Alev Kelter has been banned for three matches after being sent off in the loss to Australia for violent conduct — stamping on the head of the Australian player on the ground. 'There was contact with the head by the player's boot,' an independent disciplinary committee ruled. 'The player repeatedly stamped her foot and deliberately so but the Committee accepted the player's evidence that she did not intend to contact the head. 'On careful review of the footage, and considering the player's evidence and submission, the Committee found that the player was not deliberately targeting the head of the Australian player, but rather was reckless in her actions (as she accepted).' —- Canada McKinley Hunt, King City, Ont., Saracens (England); Gillian Boag, Calgary, Gloucester-Hartpury (England); DaLeaka Menin, Vulcan, Alta., Exeter Chiefs (England); Courtney O'Donnell, Rimbey, Alta., Red Deer Titans Rugby; Tyson Beukeboom, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Laetitia Royer, Loretteville, Que., ASM Romagnat (France); Karen Paquin, Quebec City, Club de rugby de Quebec; Fabiola Forteza, Quebec City, Stade Bordelais (France); Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC; Claire Gallagher, Caledon, Ont., Leicester Tigers (England); Krissy Scurfield, Canmore, Alta., Loughborough Lightning (England); Alex Tessier (capt.), Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England); Florence Symonds, Vancouver, UBC; Alysha Corrigan, Charlottetown, Saracens (England); Julia Schell, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England). Replacements Emily Tuttosi, Souris, Man., Exeter Chiefs (England); Mikiela Nelson, North Vancouver, Exeter Chiefs (England); Rori Wood, Sooke, B.C., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Julia Omokhuale, Calgary, Leicester Tigers (England); Caroline Crossley, Victoria, Castaway Wanderers; Justine Pelletier, Riviere-du-Loup, Que., Stade Bordelais (France); Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Chiefs Manawa (New Zealand); Asia Hogan-Rochester, Toronto, Westshore RFC. Australia Martha Fua, Katalina Amosa, Bridie O'Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Siokapesi Palu (capt.), Ashley Marsters, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Layne Morgan, Faitala Moleka, Desiree Miller, Charlotte Caslick, Georgina Friedrichs, Biola Dawa, Caitlyn Halse. Replacements Adiana Talakai, Bree-Anna Browne, Asoiva (Eva) Karpani, Ashley Fernandez, Emily Chancellor, Ruby Anderson, Tia Hinds, Trilleen Pomare. —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 21, 2025.
