Focus on the objective against Spain, Ireland must remain determined
In the upcoming Rugby World Cup Pool C match on Sunday, Ireland will face Spain, with Aoife Doyle stepping in as the replacement scrumhalf. This game could provide Ireland a better chance of challenging New Zealand in the upcoming fixture in Brighton.
Ireland's midfield will face an exciting challenge against 20-year-old center Claudia Pena, with Eve Higgins and Aoife Dalton tasked with the job. The experienced Stacey Flood, Anna McGann, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Amee-Leigh Costigan, Dannah O'Brien, Molly Scuffil-McCabe, Ellena Perry, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Linda Djougang, Eimear Corri-Fallon, Sam Monaghan (co-captain), Fiona Tuite, Claire Boles, and Grace Moore make up the starting lineup for Ireland.
Spain's starting lineup, on the other hand, boasts a youthful exuberance, with an average age of just 23-years-old. Lourdes Alameda, the experienced captain, brings maturity and ballast to the side, having made 19 tackles in the last game. Amalia Argudo, Claudia Perez, Claudia Pena, Claudia Cano, Clara Piquero, Zahia Perez, Anne Fernandez de Corres, Gemma Silva, Marieta Roman, Eider Garcia, Lourdes Alameda (capt), Elena Martinez, Lia Pineiro, Ana Peralta, and Valentina Perez form the starting lineup for Spain.
Scott Bemand, the Ireland head coach, has made seven changes to the team that played against Japan, with several regular starters dropping to the bench or being left out of the matchday 23. Aoibheann Reilly, who had a strong game against Japan, will not play against Spain, with Scuffil-McCabe and Lane preferred for the starting lineup.
Spain has had a mixed bag in their World Cup warm-up campaign, losing twice to Japan. However, a win against Ireland could boost their confidence ahead of their remaining matches. Experienced prop Laura Delgado will provide ballast off the bench for Spain.
A bonus-point win against Spain at Franklin's Gardens would ensure Ireland's quarter-final spot and set up a pool decider against New Zealand. Even a win without a bonus-point, assuming New Zealand defeats Japan, would likely be enough for Ireland to advance to the quarter-finals.
Kat Roche will referee the Ireland-Spain match. This game will determine if Ireland's strategy of focusing on the upcoming game against New Zealand has been successful. Ellena Perry, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Linda Djougang, Eimear Corri-Fallon, Grace Moore, Claire Boles, Molly Scuffil-McCabe, and Anna McGann have been added to the starting lineup, while Neve Jones, Ruth Campbell, Brittany Hogan, Niamh O'Dowd, and Aoibheann Reilly have been kept in reserve among the replacements.
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