Ireland hold off spirited Spain in high-scoring Pool C clash
Grace Moore of Ireland is tackled by Anne Fernandez de Corres of Spain during the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool C match
©Photo by Morgan Harlow - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
Ireland secured a 43–27 win over Spain in a pulsating Pool C encounter at the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.
`The Irish side showed attacking flair early on but had to withstand several Spanish surges in a game filled with tries and momentum shifts.
Ireland began the match strongly with a brilliant solo try in the 8th minute from fly-half Dannah O’Brien, who chipped ahead, regathered, and dotted down under the posts before adding the conversion to make it 7-0. Ten minutes later, Amee-Leigh Costigan finished a move down the left wing in the 18th minute, although O'Brien was unable to convert.
Spain responded with determination. Claudia Pérez powered over in the 23rd minute from a maul, followed five minutes later by a try from Marieta Román, who broke through after sustained Spanish pressure to make it 12-12. Ireland regrouped as Eve Higgins crossed the line in the 35th minute, restoring their lead, though the conversion went wide.
Just before halftime, Anna McGann scored after a well-timed offload inside Spain’s 22, and O'Brien added the extras to make it 24–12 at the break.
Spain struck first in the second half with Claudia Peña Hidalgo finishing off a sweeping move in the 43rd minute. However, Grace Moore responded for Ireland in the 46th minute, then scored her second try in the 56th minute, which was converted by O’Brien, extending Ireland's lead to 36-17.
Spain continued to fight, with Lourdes Alameda crossing in the 60th minute, closing the margin again. But Ireland sealed the result in the 70th minute through a second try from Anna McGann, converted this time by Enya Breen.
Spain had the last word with a try from Cristina Blanco on the final play of the game, bringing the scoreline to 43–27.
Team line up:
Ireland: Flood; McGann, Dalton, Higgins, Costigan; O'Brien, Scuffil-McCabe; Perry, Moloney, Djougang; Corri-Fallon, Monaghan (co-capt); Tuite, Boles, Moore.
Reserves: Jones, McCarthy, McGrath, Campbell, Hogan, Lane, Breen, McGillvray.
Spain: Argudo, C Perez, Pena-Hidalgo, Cano, Piquero, Z. Perez, Fernandez de Corres, Silva, Roman, E. Garcia, Alameda, Martinez, Pineiro, Peralta, V. Perez
Reserves: Blanco, Delgado, de Andres, Puig, Castelo, N. Garcia, Vergara, Ducher
