On Saturday afternoon, Ireland played Scotland in a Women’s 6 Nations fixture, at the Kingspan Stadium. With Wales, having beaten Italy, in Cardiff, an Ireland victory would confirm automatic World Cup qualification.

It did not start auspiciously. From a lineout maul Scotland drove the Irish pack backwards for Elis Martin to claim the touchdown for Scotland and 5-0 lead, after only 8 minutes.

Both sides had opportunities for 1^st half scores but poor handling at crucial times let chances go abegging. The game reached halftime with Scotland leading 5-0.

After the break, with only a minute gone Katie Corrigan collected a kick pass and evaded Scottish defenders to score, in the right corner, to tie the scores at 5-5.

Scottish pressure led to a 50^th minute try for Lisa Thompson, after she picked a great line, to score beside the posts. Helen Nelson‘s conversion put Scotland 12-5 up.

Ireland responded on 58 minutes, when Cliodhna Moloney burrowed over from a lineout maul. Dannah O’Brien‘s conversion tied the score at 12-12.

With 6 minutes left O’Brien gave Ireland the lead for the first time, when she converted a penalty goal, for a 15-12 lead.

Despite having Beibhinn Parsons yellow carded, with minutes left, Ireland held on for victory and a place in next year’s World Cup.

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