Ireland girls will learn lesson, says Tierney

By Daire Walsh

Following a heavy 48-7 defeat at the UCD Bowl on Saturday, Ireland head coach Tom Tierney hailed Canada as one of the favourites for the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Francois Ratier’s impressive outfit ran in seven tries throughout the course of this November Series contest, but despite acknowledging that it was a tough day at the office, Tierney is aware of Ireland’s need to test themselves against quality opposition.

“It was a very tough day at the office, but that’s exactly what we were looking for. Not from a scoreline point of view, but that’s what we’re looking for. Canada are very, very good,” he said.

“They are absolutely going to be one of the favourites in the World Cup in nine months’ time. It’s great to have a taste of what it’s all about at that level, instead of finding out at the wrong time. That would be in the World Cup, and that would be too late.”

Canada had a commanding 24-0 interval cushion and a seven-point salvo by out-half Nikki Caughey offered Ireland hope after the restart, but Canada re-affirmed their superiority.

Ireland return to UCD on Sunday for their final game of 2017 against New Zealand, and Tierney is confident his squad will be able to bounce back.

He added: “We’ll dust ourselves off. The girls are disappointed, but know where they went wrong. We’ll knuckle down, and hopefully put in a big performance against New Zealand.”