Ireland 24 Spain 12<\/b><\/p>\n
One last attack by Spain is turned over well and that\u2019s that for the half.<\/p>\n
Half-time: Ireland 24 Spain 12<\/b><\/p>\n
A mixed half for Ireland, strong start and finish but flawed in the middle. Spain have played well, proving to be a bigger test than expected. Sam Monaghan\u2019s injury is a concern, but a bonus point already in the bag.<\/p>\n
38 mins: Try for Ireland! <\/b>McGann with the try, bonus-point wrapped up. A similar style try, forwards doing the heavy work to get to the line, going wide and free to run in. O\u2019Brien misses the conversion.<\/p>\n
Ireland 24 Spain 12<\/b><\/p>\n
36 mins: Try for Ireland! <\/b>Great power by Eve Higgins, from a good scrum after a Spanish knock-on. She is played the ball and is too strong for the Spanish defence under the posts. Converted by O\u2019Brien.<\/p>\n
Ireland 19 Spain 12<\/b><\/p>\n
31 mins: Penalty missed by Ireland. <\/b>They win a penalty and opt for the posts but O\u2019Brien hits the post.<\/p>\n
28 mins: <\/b>Again Spain are putting Ireland on serious pressure and get within two metres. Back for advantage for a high tackle and Spain don\u2019t opt for the posts, Argudo kicks for touch.<\/p>\n
Try for Spain.<\/b> The hooker Marieta Roman powers it over, Ireland couldn\u2019t live with her. Super kick by Argudo to convert and it\u2019s level.<\/p>\n
Ireland 12 Spain 12<\/b><\/p>\n
24 mins: Try for Spain. <\/b>Great 50-22 by Zahia Perez puts Ireland under pressure. Good maul by the Spanish and they have advantage. Sam Monaghan comes off as sadly, perhaps as an injury precaution.<\/p>\n
Spain just on the line, but Ireland holding them up, but they play to the backs, Claudia Perez is on the wing, great pass and she runs it in. A sign of Spain\u2019s threat. Argudo misses the conversion but some controversy over it as she felt like Flood charged in her eye line.<\/p>\n
Ireland 12 Spain 5<\/b><\/p>\n
19 mins: Try for Ireland! <\/b>Sam Monaghan is okay to continue as Ireland kick to touch. A strong maul pushes Ireland on several metres and then they sweep it wide, and Costigan is on her own on the wing. Good try, well worked. O\u2019Brien misses the conversion.<\/p>\n
Ireland 12 Spain 0<\/b><\/p>\n
16 mins: <\/b>Good defence by Ireland turning the ball over, Scuffil-McCabe making an impact. A very hefty tackle on Sam Monaghan is concern for Bemand. She receives treatment.<\/p>\n
13 mins: <\/b>Stacey Flood knocks the ball on from a high ball gives Spain a scrum past halfway. Another knock on by McCann and Spain ease up the pitch.<\/p>\n
8 mins: Try for Ireland!<\/b> Mistake by Perez as she doesn\u2019t judge the bounce of the kick and Ireland get within five metres of the line. Monaghan lays off to O\u2019Brien who runs it over. O\u2019Brien converts her try.<\/p>\n
Ireland 7 Spain 0<\/b><\/p>\n
6 mins: <\/b>Good defensive effort from Spain so far as Ireland are struggling to break them down. Spanish getting in plenty of tackles and a few good counter rucks.<\/p>\n
3 mins:<\/b> Dannah O\u2019Brien kicks it in behind well right into the corner to put Spain under pressure. Spain win a penalty though in the breakdown to save themselves.<\/p>\n
The teams are coming out on the pitch, kick-off is at 12pm.<\/p>\n
Nathan Johns has an interesting analysis piece about how Ireland replaced Aoife Wafer in the aggregate against Japan.<\/p>\n
\u201cAgainst Japan, Ireland recreated Wafer in the aggregate. In terms of the forwards at least. Sam Monaghan beat Wafer\u2019s volume of carries in the 2024 Six Nations by one (52 vs 51). Ireland\u2019s co-captain missed the most recent tournament thanks to injury problems of her own. Back playing competitively again, Monaghan led the way on Sunday for Irish forward carries (14).\u201d<\/p>\n
[\u00a0How Ireland replaced Aoife Wafer in the aggregate against JapanOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n Linda Djougang gets celebrated for making her 50th cap.<\/p>\n Nathan Johns<\/b> writes how squad harmony has been prioritised by head coach Scott Bemand as he made seven changes to the team from the Japan game. Co-captain Edel McMahon and wing B\u00e9ibhinn Parsons are among the names to drop out.<\/p>\n \u201cOpinions on the degree of risk taken by Bemand in opting for such significant rotation will differ. While the usual noises about treating every opponent with respect came from camp during the week, Irish boots will hardly be quaking after watching Spain struggle against New Zealand in their tournament opener.<\/p>\n \u201cBy making these changes, perhaps the Ireland boss is wisely mitigating against squad restlessness. After this weekend, 27 of the 32 players in camp will have seen World Cup game time. Dangle the carrot of a good performance here putting someone in the frame to take on the Black Ferns. Keep everyone interested.<\/p>\n \u201cThose who haven\u2019t yet featured include Aoife Wafer, whose knee issue leaves her battling for any sort of participation at this competition. Uncapped Beth Buttimer and the inexperienced Ivana Kiripati also remain unused. The remaining pair, fullback M\u00e9abh Deely and outhalf Nicole Fowley, operate in positions where the jersey holders \u2013 Flood and O\u2019Brien \u2013 are almost certain to play every minute they can, such is their importance to the team.\u201d<\/p>\n