Tania Rosser expects Ireland to overcome a tough test against Japan in their opening Women’s Rugby World Cup clash on Sunday (Live on RTÉ2) before a tournament-defining final pool match against New Zealand.
“Japan are going to be a tricky opening game,” the former Ireland international scrum-half told RTÉ Sport.
“They love to play with tempo, move the ball about and get into the wider channels.
“For us, the upside is we’re really good in the contact area, and a lot larger than the Japanese girls. But they will test us defensively because they like to keep the ball alive.
“This is a vital game that we must win, to get momentum and build confidence in the team.
“At a World Cup, you want points on the board early on to set the tone for the tournament.”
Ireland have hit by tournament-ending injuries to Erin King and Dorothy Wall while Aoife Wafer is not expected to return to training until before the meeting with Spain, having undergone knee surgery in July.
“Those are three big back-rowers, who complimented each other through the Six Nations,” said Rosser.
“Erin King’s work-rate was phenomenal. Aoife Wafer is abrasive and she’s a big ball-carrier. So our depth is going to be stretched.
“Brittany Hogan has stepped up really well, Grace Moore, Edel McMahon. Sam Monaghan will be back.
“I think Brittany has really stepped up as a leader in the last couple of games, which is nice to see. She’s getting some good carry-ball going forward.
“It’s not just the 23 that’s going to get them through the tournament, it’s the entire squad.
“So the way Scott [head coach Bemand] is going to select his team over the next three games is really important, so that we have a back row that complements each other.”
Tania Rosser coached Leinster to back-to-back Women’s Interprovincial Championships before stepping down last November
Rosser played at three World Cups for Ireland, including in the 2014 tournament, when they beat the Black Ferns and reached the semi-finals. Can they go as far this time?
“They have really improved,” she said. “Defensively, during the Six Nations, we were solid. But we’ve lost Hugh Hogan [defensive coach], which is a pity.
“I do feel New Zealand will be the bump in the road in the pool. New Zealand are a totally different beast.
“I have all faith in them getting to the quarters. But if we finish second in our pool, we hit France, who are performing really well.
“But if we finish first [I think] we get to the semis.”
Watch Ireland v Japan in the Rugby World Cup on Sunday from 11.30am on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live radio commentary on 2fm
Watch the Women’s Rugby World Cup with RTÉ Sport, featuring 26 matches across RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and RTÉ One, including all of Ireland’s group matches