Here is Nathan Johns’ report from Northampton:
That’s all from me, have a good day!
An interesting start to Japan-New Zealand, with the Japanese up 5-0 early on.
Stay tuned for the Ireland-Spain match report.
Then Spain score a try again after a quick lineout, they get their reward.
Full-time: Ireland 43 Spain 27
Job done, not the best performance ever but Spain did themselves proud. Bonus point and win in the bag.
79 mins: Try for Spain. Spanish still battling away looking for another try, and they get it after several phases, the replacement Ducher gets it in the corner. They miss the conversion. With better kicking, it would have been closer.
Or not… it goes back for a TMO, a few minutes later. Bit harsh to go back later after the conversion.
Ireland 43 Spain 22
75 mins: A chance for Spain as they win a penalty and then kick to the corner. Successful lineout and then they push for the line. But some great Irish defence turns the ball over.
70 mins: Try for Ireland! Several phases for Ireland as they steadily build up to a dangerous area. Then McGann is released on the wing and has a bit to do, beats two players and runs in further to make for an easier conversion. That should be that. Enya Breen off the bench, will appreciate that, and converts. Sigh of relief.
Ireland 43 Spain 22
65 mins: Spain have more than competed today, been a very competitive game, an “easier” game may have been expected after they were well beaten by New Zealand. Ireland still 14 points ahead but Spain have shown enough that they really can’t afford to take their eye off the ball.
61 mins: Try for Spain. After a lengthy TMO check which was initially given no try after a tap penalty. A bonus point for them as well after their fourth try. Argudo misses conversion to the right.
Ireland 36 Spain 22
56 mins: Try for Ireland! Zahia Perez (one of a few Perez on this Spain team) spills a high ball and sets up Ireland attack. Eventually Ireland win a penalty and kick to touch. They progress to five metres from the line and Grace Moore is excellent again, powers through for another try. Powerful carrying. Converted by O’Brien
Ireland 36 Spain 17
51 mins: Spain are playing some nice rugby and Claudia Perez was through, Pena at the heart of it. She miscues the pass, but it’s a penalty for Spain and they kick to touch.
46 mins: Try for Ireland! A great response to the conceded try. Grace Moore takes a brilliant line to run through the gap and burst through for a try. O’Brien hits the woodwork with the conversion, she will be disappointed with that one.
Ireland 29 Spain 17
42 mins: Try for Spain. Right at the start of the second half, Claudia Pena takes it well, after Ireland had made a mess of the restart. Arguda miskicks the conversion though.
Ireland 24 Spain 17
One last attack by Spain is turned over well and that’s that for the half.
Half-time: Ireland 24 Spain 12
A mixed half for Ireland, strong start and finish but flawed in the middle. Spain have played well, proving to be a bigger test than expected. Sam Monaghan’s injury is a concern, but a bonus point already in the bag.
38 mins: Try for Ireland! McGann with the try, bonus-point wrapped up. A similar style try, forwards doing the heavy work to get to the line, going wide and free to run in. O’Brien misses the conversion.
Ireland 24 Spain 12
36 mins: Try for Ireland! Great power by Eve Higgins, from a good scrum after a Spanish knock-on. She is played the ball and is too strong for the Spanish defence under the posts. Converted by O’Brien.
Ireland 19 Spain 12
31 mins: Penalty missed by Ireland. They win a penalty and opt for the posts but O’Brien hits the post.
28 mins: Again Spain are putting Ireland on serious pressure and get within two metres. Back for advantage for a high tackle and Spain don’t opt for the posts, Argudo kicks for touch.
Try for Spain. The hooker Marieta Roman powers it over, Ireland couldn’t live with her. Super kick by Argudo to convert and it’s level.
Ireland 12 Spain 12
24 mins: Try for Spain. Great 50-22 by Zahia Perez puts Ireland under pressure. Good maul by the Spanish and they have advantage. Sam Monaghan comes off as sadly, perhaps as an injury precaution.
Spain just on the line, but Ireland holding them up, but they play to the backs, Claudia Perez is on the wing, great pass and she runs it in. A sign of Spain’s threat. Argudo misses the conversion but some controversy over it as she felt like Flood charged in her eye line.
Ireland 12 Spain 5
19 mins: Try for Ireland! Sam Monaghan is okay to continue as Ireland kick to touch. A strong maul pushes Ireland on several metres and then they sweep it wide, and Costigan is on her own on the wing. Good try, well worked. O’Brien misses the conversion.
Ireland 12 Spain 0
16 mins: Good defence by Ireland turning the ball over, Scuffil-McCabe making an impact. A very hefty tackle on Sam Monaghan is concern for Bemand. She receives treatment.
13 mins: Stacey Flood knocks the ball on from a high ball gives Spain a scrum past halfway. Another knock on by McCann and Spain ease up the pitch.
8 mins: Try for Ireland! Mistake by Perez as she doesn’t judge the bounce of the kick and Ireland get within five metres of the line. Monaghan lays off to O’Brien who runs it over. O’Brien converts her try.
Ireland 7 Spain 0
6 mins: Good defensive effort from Spain so far as Ireland are struggling to break them down. Spanish getting in plenty of tackles and a few good counter rucks.
3 mins: Dannah O’Brien kicks it in behind well right into the corner to put Spain under pressure. Spain win a penalty though in the breakdown to save themselves.
The teams are coming out on the pitch, kick-off is at 12pm.
Nathan Johns has an interesting analysis piece about how Ireland replaced Aoife Wafer in the aggregate against Japan.
“Against Japan, Ireland recreated Wafer in the aggregate. In terms of the forwards at least. Sam Monaghan beat Wafer’s volume of carries in the 2024 Six Nations by one (52 vs 51). Ireland’s co-captain missed the most recent tournament thanks to injury problems of her own. Back playing competitively again, Monaghan led the way on Sunday for Irish forward carries (14).”
[ How Ireland replaced Aoife Wafer in the aggregate against JapanOpens in new window ]
Linda Djougang gets celebrated for making her 50th cap.
Nathan Johns writes how squad harmony has been prioritised by head coach Scott Bemand as he made seven changes to the team from the Japan game. Co-captain Edel McMahon and wing Béibhinn Parsons are among the names to drop out.
“Opinions on the degree of risk taken by Bemand in opting for such significant rotation will differ. While the usual noises about treating every opponent with respect came from camp during the week, Irish boots will hardly be quaking after watching Spain struggle against New Zealand in their tournament opener.
“By making these changes, perhaps the Ireland boss is wisely mitigating against squad restlessness. After this weekend, 27 of the 32 players in camp will have seen World Cup game time. Dangle the carrot of a good performance here putting someone in the frame to take on the Black Ferns. Keep everyone interested.
“Those who haven’t yet featured include Aoife Wafer, whose knee issue leaves her battling for any sort of participation at this competition. Uncapped Beth Buttimer and the inexperienced Ivana Kiripati also remain unused. The remaining pair, fullback Méabh Deely and outhalf Nicole Fowley, operate in positions where the jersey holders – Flood and O’Brien – are almost certain to play every minute they can, such is their importance to the team.”
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Ireland’s second pool stage game in the Women’s Rugby World Cup, against Spain at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton. Kick-off is at 12pm. Ireland won their first game 42-14 against Japan and will expect to put up a similar total or better against Spain and more or less secure their passage to the quarter-finals before the final pool stage game next week against New Zealand.
Here are the teams:
Ireland: Stacey Flood; Anna McGann, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Amee-Leigh Costigan; Dannah O’Brien, Molly Scuffil-McCabe; Ellena Perry, Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Linda Djougang; Eimear Corri-Fallon, Sam Monaghan (co-captain); Fiona Tuite, Claire Boles, Grace Moore.
Replacements: Neve Jones, Siobhán McCarthy, Sadhbh McGrath, Ruth Campbell, Brittany Hogan, Emily Lane, Enya Breen, Nancy McGillivray.
Spain: Amalia Argudo; Claudia Perez, Claudia Pena, Claudia Cano, Clara Piquero; Zahia Perez, Anne Fernandez de Corres; Gemma Silva, Marieta Roman, Eider Garcia; Lourdes Alameda (capt), Elena Martinez, Lia Pineiro, Ana Peralta, Valentina Perez.
Replacements: Cristina Blanco, Laura Delgado, Mireia de Andres, Anna Puig, Monica Castelo, Nerea Garcia, Bingbing Vergara, Lea Ducher.