Ireland hold nerve as late kick secures third place and spot at World Cup
Ireland 15
Scotland 12
Women’s Six Nations
Dannah O’Brien struck a crucial 74th-minute penalty at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast yesterday as Ireland came from behind to beat Scotland in the final round of the Women’s Six Nations Championship and with it third place and a spot at next year’s World Cup.
Ireland were facing the prospect of a fourth loss in this year’s championship when Lisa Thomson’s converted effort propelled Scotland into a 12-5 lead during the early stages of the second half. Yet Ireland rallied with a try of their own from Cliodhna Moloney and O’Brien’s kick sealed victory.
Wales’ dramatic victory earlier on Saturday against Italy meant a win of any kind was going to be enough for Ireland to seal a RWC return for the first time since 2017.
A late addition to the Scotland starting line-up that had originally been announced on Thursday, Leicester Tigers hooker Elis Martin appeared at the back of a lineout maul and she scored an eighth-minute try. Helen Nelson was narrowly off-target from the tricky conversion.
Ireland initially gained a foothold inside the Scottish half when the action finally resumed and a couple of lineout overthrows from Martin ensured they stayed on the front-foot.
One of just two Ulster natives in the Irish starting line-up, Neve Jones made a break for the whitewash on 33 minutes, but was ultimately denied a third try in this year’s Championship by the Scots’ defence. From the kick-off at the start of the second half, Ireland’s teenage winger Katie Corrigan was picked out in space on the right-flank and she touched down for the third time in as many international home games this year. Even though O’Brien couldn’t convert from an acute angle, there was a sense Ireland had the momentum.
Front-row pair Niamh O’Dowd and Moloney offered fresh legs off the bench, but Scotland regained the initiative when inside centre Thomson sprinted over the Irish line at the end of an extended attacking spell on 50 minutes. Nelson’s conversion made it 12-5.
Just shy of the hour mark, O’Brien found touch from an attacking penalty to leave Ireland within striking distance of the try line. In almost identical fashion to Martin in the opening period, Moloney latched onto the set-piece maul from Ireland and confidently touched down for her first international try since April 2021.
O’Brien converted to make it 12-12 heading into the final quarter. While strong carries from Aoife Wafer, player of the match Brittany Hogan and Moloney opened up the possibility of a third Irish try, O’Brien wisely opted for the posts with six minutes remaining and she coolly slotted over to give the home team the lead for the very first time. From there they held firm to claim win.
Scorers: Ireland: Tries K Corrigan (41 mins), C Moloney (59) Cons D O’Brien (60) Pens D O’Brien (74) Scotland: Tries E Martin (8), L Thomson (50) Cons H Nelson (52)
Ireland M Deely; K Corrigan, E Higgins, E Breen, B Parsons; D O’Brien, A Reilly; L Djougang, N Jones (C Moloney 46), C Haney (N O’Dowd h-t); D Wall, S Monaghan; A Wafer, E McMahon (S Ikahihifo 72), B Hogan.
Scotland M Smith; C Grant, E Orr, L Thomson, F McGhie; H Nelson, C Mattinson (M McDonald 12); L Bartlett (L Cockburn 63), E Martin (M Wright 63), C Belisle (E Clarke 48); E Wassell, L McMillan (E Donaldson 59); R Malcolm, A Stewart (R McLachlan 59), E Gallagher.
Referee N Ganley (New Zealand).