Ireland secured third place in the Women’s Six Nations with a 15-12 victory over Scotland and secured their place at next year’s Rugby World Cup.
There was just one try in the first half as Elis Martin played for Scotland, giving them a 5-0 lead at half-time.
However, in the second 40 minutes, both teams started to see points flowing. The performances of Ireland’s Katie Corrigan and Clíodhna Moloney were canceled out by Lisa Thomson, leaving the score at 12-12 with a quarter of the game still to play.
A converted penalty then proved to be a crucial moment as Ireland fly-half Dannah O’Brien gave her side a three-point lead and the score held 15-12 into the final minutes, despite Beibhinn Parsons receiving a yellow card for an intentional received attack. At.
The win is a clear symbol of Ireland’s improvement in the 15-player code, with third place a big change from the wooden spoon in 2023.
Ireland is showing passion and the improvement is obvious
It was pouring rain in Belfast as the big clash began and it was the visitors who were first on the scoresheet. Martin raced over the goal from a shot in the first 10 minutes to take a 5-0 lead.
The slippery conditions caused a number of handling errors from both teams, making for a grueling game midway through the half as the defense struggled against line breaks and attacking bursts.
With Ireland playing well in the starting lineup, they gained some ground in the second quarter, but were costed by follow-ups. The Scottish side showed the defensive strength they have used throughout this tournament and went into half-time up 5-0 with their advantage still intact.
Kicking games were crucial in the wet conditions in Belfast
However, it took Ireland just over a minute in the second half to hit back and get on the scoreboard. Corrigan completed the play perfectly by going over to the corner and increasing the score to 5-5.
Then, as the sun began to shine, a fluid attack came into play and it didn’t take long for Scotland to regain the lead. Thomson went over 50 minutes after a brilliant line, Helen Nelson added the extras to take her side to 12-5.
Corrigan scores her try for Ireland
The hosts then took their chance from a rolling basket, Moloney broke through and O’Brien added the extras to tie the situation at 12-12 with 20 minutes left.
With time running out, both teams tried their arm before the crucial moment arrived. Aoife Wafer broke through the gap from the starting line-up, setting up Ireland and earning a penalty which O’Brien converted to give her side a 15-12 lead with less than 10 minutes to play.
A scrum penalty then gave Scotland a great chance in good territory with less than five minutes left, but Ireland held firm before the visitors regained possession from the lineout and Parsons was sent to the penalty box for a deliberate tackle in the dying minutes.
The crowd then roared as the ball was turned over again, putting the ball in play for Ireland, securing third place in the Six Nations and their place in the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
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