Ireland have been beaten by Les Bleus six times in succession, and coach Scott Bemand will go for a functional, kicking-based game to keep Ireland in the running
Aoife Dalton at the Ireland Rugby Women’s Captain’s Run in the Stade Marie-Marvingt, Le Mans, France on Friday. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inphocampaign under former England attack coach Scott Bemand begins with a fairly daunting assignment against the runners-up for the last three seasons.
Furthermore, Ireland are undergoing quite a rebuild under Bemand since losing all five games last season, and this relatively inexperienced and young side will require patience. While Sam Monaghan has been ruled out of this opening match due to a head injury, only centre Aoife Dalton, the frontrow of Linda Djougang, Neve Jones and Christy Haney, as well as lock Dorothy Wall, remain from the starting XV which was beaten 53-3 in Cork last season, along with five others from the matchday squad.
Allowing for the low standard of competition, Ireland’s successful march to that inaugural WXV 3 title, courtesy of wins over Kazakhstan , Colombia and Spain , has presumably helped to build confidence within the group, and Bemand has retained nine of the starting XV from the latter final.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sam Monaghan and Ireland ready to embrace daunting Six Nations challengeFrance away in their Six Nations opener a tough assignment for Scott Bemand’s Irish women’s squad
Read more »
Bring the noise: Ireland women’s rugby team prepare for encounter with France‘We know it will be raucous … hopefully, we can make it work if we fire some shots and quiet that crowd,’ says head coach
Read more »
New Zealand striker Max Mata making waves in SligoAucklander of Cook Island parentage on playing in Ireland and against Ireland in a friendly
Read more »
Twickenham turmoil: A game that was there to be won for IrelandIt was there for Ireland and then it wasn't for Ireland.
Read more »
England 23 Ireland 22 (Full-time)Ireland’s Grand Slam dream dies at TwickenhamMarcus Smith hits a drop-goal with the last kick of the match to hand Steve Borthwick’s side a landmark victory
Read more »
Munster centre called into France squad for final Six Nations clash with EnglandIreland qualified Antoine Frisch rewarded for consistency with the province after Ireland chance failed to materialise
Read more »