Eire’s bumpy passage by way of the Ladies’s Rugby World Cup group stage continued as they got here by way of a high-scoring conflict in opposition to Spain to triumph 43-27 at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton.
For the second successive weekend, Eire have been compelled to dig deep to subdue underdog opponents positioned exterior the highest 10 within the international rankings, with Spain matching the willpower and talent proven by Japan of their 42-14 defeat the week prior.
However as soon as once more Eire had the instruments to get the job completed, with quantity eight Grace Moore and wing Anna McGann touching down twice every in a bonus-point win that secures a quarter-final spot.
Twice they needed to stare down intervals of Spanish resurgence with Las Leonas spectacular on either side of the ball, just for pricey lapses in focus to make sure an upset was out of attain.
The rivals have a historical past of shut contests – 5 of their final 9 fixtures have been determined by fewer than three factors – and this Pool C showdown was no completely different, even when its competitiveness was not mirrored within the remaining scoreline.
Dannah O’Brien profited from her personal up and below to begin the scoring and Eire raced additional forward when Amee-Leigh Costigan completed within the left nook following some sharp dealing with and decided clearouts.
However the recreation turned on its head when Spain hit again with two tries based on the energy and willpower of their forwards, with big tighthead prop Eider Garcia.
Two large carries from Garcia had drawn in Eire earlier than they then pulled the set off by feeding wing Claudia Perez, who crossed with a flourish.
Hooker Marieta Roman was the following over from a rolling maul and all of the sudden all of the momentum was with Spain, just for a collection of errors in defence to present Eire a sniff of the road which they took when Eve Higgins crashed over.
With the Irish all of the sudden again in management, and Spain softened up within the forwards, they went extensive for McGann to finish one other easy run-in.
Spain got here out for the second half with all weapons blazing and engineered a high quality strive when Zahia Perez despatched Claudia Pena over, however the fightback was simply an phantasm, their defence opening as much as permit Moore to gallop over for a second time.
The TMO confirmed a strive for Spain lock Lourdes Alameda, McGann replied along with her second earlier than the afternoon was wrapped up with Cristina Blanco touching down two minutes into additional time.
The group stage of the Ladies’s Rugby World Cup concludes throughout the weekend of September 6-7.
On Saturday, Canada tackle Saturday (12pm) in a battle between the highest two of Pool B, earlier than Wales face Fiji (2.45pm) on the lookout for a primary win.
In Pool A, United States want a giant win over Samoa (1.30pm) to present them an opportunity of qualifying forward of Australia, who play England (5pm) within the hosts’ remaining group recreation.
On Sunday, Japan play Spain (12pm) earlier than Eire tackle New Zealand (2.45pm) to spherical off the Pool C motion, whereas in Pool D, Italy face Brazil (2pm) and France go up in opposition to South Africa (4.45pm).
