Ireland have the belief to stun England in Cork

This Irish team has come a long way in a short space of time.

Even their perpetually positive head coach Scott Bemand has been taken aback by the surge in this squad’s performances across a transformative 18 months.

The national team has gone from Wooden Spooners to beating the likes of New Zealand in almost the blink of an eye.

Ireland’s Stacey Flood is tackled by Amy du Plessis in the famous win over New Zealand. Pic:INPHO/Travis Prior

This is clearly a team on the rise. The recent 54-12 obliteration of Italy in Parma was fresh evidence that Ireland are becoming a major force in the global game again.

There is genuine optimism that Bemand’s young side can make a big impact at the World Cup in August and emulate the class of 2014 by reaching another semi-final. Or even go a step further.

After the disastrous home World Cup in 2017 and then failing to qualify for the next tournament four years later, it would be some recovery story.

For now, there is the small  matter of this English juggernaut rocking up in Cork.

The scale of the task facing the hosts on Leeside is seismic. They will be facing arguably the most dominant force in the history of the women’s game.

Poppy Cleall of England scores against Ireland, who do not have a god record against the Red Rose. Pic:: Darren Staples/Sportsfile

The Red Roses, who are targeting a seventh straight title, have won their last 31 matches in the Six Nations, a phenomenal winning run that began with a 33-11 victory against Ireland way back in 2018. 

Here’s some more daunting stats. This England team have won 52 of their past 53 matches. The sole defeat? A narrow loss to New Zealand in the 2022 World Cup final at Eden Park.

It’s a fearsome proposition. England stuck 88 points on Ireland last season. The scorelines from previous games doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence either: 48-0, 69-0. 27-0, 51-7.

And yet, you could get the distinct feeling that this Irish side are quietly confident of springing a monumental upset at Musgrave Park.

Why? Because this playing group is a totally different proposition to the outfits that faced down England in the past.

Ireland coach Scott Bemand has the inside track on England from his time coaching them. . Pic: Bob Bradford – CameraSport via Getty Images

The off-field supports across the past 24 months have made a massive impact on results and performances.

From fresh IRFU investment to the appointment of Bemand, the national team are very much a high-performance group nowadays.

Bemand’s backroom team have been doing exceptional work, too. Forwards coach Alex Codling has transformed the lineout while Hugh Hogan has brought a real steeliness to the defence. Gareth Steenson has quietly been making great strides with Ireland’s kicking game.

The home side will be hungry, organised and braced for a huge battle. They will have a plan. Bemand spent eight years in the England setup as attack coach so knows a thing or two about the opposition.

Ireland certainly have the personnel to spring a huge upset and go not the clash with huge confidence.

‘There’s no ceiling to this team,’ Stacey Flood boldly declared earlier this week.

Aoife Wafer ia world-class ball carrier and can damage England. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady

Making a big start will be crucial, especially when it comes to getting the Cork crowd – expected to number around 8,000 – behind them.

If Ireland can get their lineout maul going, they have a weapon which can ask serious questions. In Aoife Wafer, Dorothy Wall and Erin King, they have a trio of ball carriers that can punch holes all day and half-backs Emily Lane and Dannah O’Brien can boss the game and play it in the right areas.

If Ireland can get on the front foot and get the attacking rhythm up and running, they know they can hurt this English team. Will it enough to earn a famous win? They might just fall short. But don’t be surprised if they take another big scalp.