Breaking: Ireland Routs Wales 40-14 in Women’s Six Nations, Coach Bemand Disappointed with Performance Despite "Statement Victory"
In a dominant display, Ireland women’s rugby team meticulously dismantled Wales 40-14 in their Guinness Women’s Six Nations clash on Sunday in Newport. Ireland, who posted six tries and controlled possession, earned their second away win this campaign, further cementing their third-place standing behind powerhouses England and France. However, head coach Andy Bemand admitted to feeling "frustrated" and "disappointed" despite the comprehensive victory, believing his side should have secured more tries and punctuated their win more firmly. Looking ahead, Bemand aims to close the gap on the tournament’s top two and is confident in his team’s prospects against Scotland in their upcoming fixture. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
Ireland’s Women’s Six Nations: A Win, But Plenty to Work On for Bemand’s Side
Ireland Thrash Wales, But Coach Bemand Unhappy with the Performance
In a dominant display, Ireland’s women’s rugby team demolished Wales 40-14 in their Guinness Women’s Six Nations encounter in Newport. The Irish secured a bonus-point victory, scoring six tries against a home side they haven’t beaten easily in recent years. But despite the comprehensive victory, head coach Greg Bemand wasn’t satisfied.
"It’s a bit of a funny one," Bemand admitted post-match. "We came away to Wales, scored tries, picked up a bonus point, and recorded a win – which hasn’t been that frequent in the past. Yet, I’m disappointed because we let a statement victory slip away from us."
Tries Galore, But Could Have Been More
Ireland enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and capitalized with tries from Dorothy Wall (left) and Aoife Wafer, with each scoring a pair. Yet, Bemand saw plenty of room for improvement.
"I would have liked us to kick through the gears in the last 15-18 minutes," he said. "We had time to post more scores, and we should have been north of 50."
Performance Over Results, For Now
Bemand’s philosophy is clear: quality performances lead to results. While the outcome against Wales was never in doubt, the manner of the win left him wanting more.
"We’ll always go after the performance," he said. "We figured if we got our performance right, the scores would come. But we left points and opportunities out there, some clear, some less so."
Closing the Gap on Top Two
Ireland’s performances have dramatically improved under Bemand, but they’ve fallen short against England and France. The coach is eager to close the gap on the table’s top two sides.
"We spoke about closing gaps," he said. "We don’t want to finish top of the group that can’t close the gap. We want to get closer to France and England."
Looking Ahead to Scotland
Ireland next faces Scotland in Edinburgh, with a quick turnaround and double travel involved. But Bemand is confident his team will be ready to deliver a performance.
"I don’t think it gets easier next week," he said. "Scotland away is a tough game, but I think we are going to be primed and ready to go and try to put in a performance up there."
Did you know?
Ireland’s last Gasworks Six Nations campaign saw them beat Scotland 45-0 and Italy 43-5 on the road. A win in Edinburgh would secure them a clean sweep of away victories this year.
Pro Tip
Ireland’s ability to dominate possession and convert it into points has been a hallmark of their improved performances under Bemand. Keen to emulate that? Work on your team’s handling and decision-making under pressure.
FAQ
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Q: How many times have Ireland beaten Wales in their last five Six Nations encounters?
A: This win was only their second victory over Wales in the last five Six Nations clashes, showing the significance of this victory. - Q: When do Ireland play Scotland in the Six Nations?
A: Ireland’s next game is against Scotland at the Hive Stadium in Edinburgh on Saturday, April 29.
Call to Action
Continuing Ireland’s winning streak on the road will be a tall order, but they’re up for the challenge. Let’s hope they bring their ‘A’ game to Edinburgh. What do you think, 247Sports readers? Can Ireland secure a clean sweep of away wins? Share your thoughts below or join the conversation on our social media platforms.