Canada expose Irish flaws

Ireland took to the Affidea pitch in Ravenhill to take on world number 2 Canada in the second and final world cup warm up game for Ireland.

Ireland, off the back of a tough win in Cork against familiar rivals Scotland, made ten changes to the Irish starting side with a change to the entire front row from last week, with Cambell at the engine room alongside Fiona Tuite. Stacey Flood came in at fullback, Aoibheann Reilly getting the start at 9 and Enya Breen getting the nod in the centre with Aoife Dalton. Anna McGann started on the left wing.

Canada started the game incredibly strong, with a clear intention to play quick ball. Alex Tessier leading her side combined well with Florence Symmonds to find space and create an early first try for the travelling side. Canadian scrum half, who missed out against the USA, made her mark early also, working well behind the ruck to draw the Irish pillars wide and release the ball back in towards the breakdown to exploit the space she created.

Ireland were often flat footed in defence and struggled to deal with the pace of the Canadian attack. The first half will likely be a tough watch on Monday as players fell off tackles resulting in three of the tries in the first half. Some reprieve was offered in the form of a yellow card for Canada as DaLeaka Menin was adjudged to have tackled Ivana Kiripati high and to the head.

Ireland later received their own card as repeated infringements in Ireland’s red zone, and many warnings, resulted in Irish captain Neve Jones taking the team yellow.

Ireland’s opportunities often came from unforced handling errors from Canada, but the highlight of the first half for Ireland was a moment of brilliance from Beibhinn Parsons. Ireland worked the ball out wide, recognising the space, which quickly closed off as the Ballinasloe winger was swallowed up. The quick-thinking sevens player rose to her feed immediately having placed the ball, regathered and took off to score as Canada failed to set their defence. However, Canda would soon hit back through a second try from Symonds.

Ireland conceded five tries in the first half in total, in what looked to be a potential thrashing in Belfast. However, a very different looking Irish side emerged from the sheds for the second half. Ireland having lacked cohesion in the opening half found their form from the off. The home side showed much improved discipline, managing to retain the ball much better. The Irish pack looked to be more aggressive and Sam Monaghan’s impact off the bench very evident. The Irish forwards looked to make a real impact on the game, taking the ball on at pace and silencing the Canadian rush defence.

Grace Moore was a stand-out with a series of hard carries, putting the Canadian centres on the back foot and getting her side over the gain line. Ireland exited poorly at times with kicks from out half Dannah O’Brien going to hand rather than making touch, inviting the Canadian back three on to a sometimes-disorganised Irish D line.

Ireland’s determination would soon pay off however as Ireland looked to spread the ball wide when they found themselves in possession. Ireland’s second try would come from a brilliant pass as Stacey Flood came into the line 8m out to find Anna McGann on the wing. With work to do, McGann raced to the line, reaching out as she was tackled to get the try.

McGann would soon get her second try just four minutes later as she came infield and carved open the Canadian defence, with scrumhalf replacement Olivia Apps looking to scramble but only managing to slow McGann down slightly.

It was Canada’s discipline that would create further opportunities in the second half as Ireland won a number of penalties but later failed to come away with points. Canada questionable as they appear to play the Irish scrumhalf Aoibheann Reilly and infringe the offside line, but they get away with it and Ireland are back tracked 60m as Canada exit well.

Stacey Flood would once again create a score as Ireland flashed the ball wide. Initially O’Brien looked to kick, but recognised the risk of the ball being blocked, she pulled the ball back to Higgins who tipped on to the fullback. Flood identifying the space, shot the ball long and wide to Parsons who finished for her second try of the day.

Any hopes of a shock Irish comeback were quelled when the fullback was later carded for a high tackle. Ireland in the closing phases failed to exit well, repeating some of their first half mistakes. Canada finished with a flourish scoring their final try of the day in the last play through Sophie de Goede, their seventh try of the match.

A tired Irish side will be grateful to come away without major injury and lots of pain points to fix. Despite an incredibly challenging game against a very dominant side, they showed the ability to adapt at half time and how tweaking their strategy could turn a game around.

As Ireland plan to announce their side early on Monday morning, few will have put their hand up for last minute spots on the flight over, though many will have solidified decisions that may have been on the cards already.

Ailbhe O'Nolan

Irish Women's Rugby Supporters Club