Stacey Flood: We’re not worried about others’ opinions
For Ireland’s women’s rugby team, the long months of preparation have come down to this. Training camps since June, two mixed warm-up games, and now just days remain until they step back onto the World Cup stage. It has been a turbulent journey filled with setbacks, lessons, and renewed belief, but the squad is determined to seize the moment in Northampton against Japan this Sunday.
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A Rocky Road to Recovery
The scars of the 2017 World Cup still linger. That home tournament promised plenty but delivered little, with disappointment on the pitch and no lasting legacy off it. Subsequent years only deepened the struggles: a crucial playoff defeat to Wales, missed qualification after falling to Scotland in Parma, and internal turbulence marked by player unrest and high-profile retirements.
But since Scott Bemand took charge in 2023, fortunes have turned. A WXV3 title, statement victories against Australia and New Zealand, and consistent top-three Six Nations finishes have injected hope back into the program. Even with key absentees like Erin King, Dorothy Wall, Christy Haney, and Aoife Wafer, Ireland believe they are equipped to make an impact.
Focus on the World Cup Stage
The squad knows this tournament will put them firmly in the spotlight. “Having eyes on women’s rugby and our team is never going to be a bad thing because we want the Irish people behind us,” Flood said from the team’s UK base. She stressed that support should not depend on results alone, adding that this tournament has the potential to transform women’s rugby in Ireland.
Ireland’s warm-up fixtures against Scotland and Canada highlighted areas of concern, particularly their slow starts. Flood admitted that being passive early on cost them rhythm, and she insists that imposing “the Irish way” from the opening whistle is a key priority against Japan.
Respect for Japan but Belief in Ireland
Flood knows Sunday’s opponents are dangerous. She praised Japan’s skill, work rate, and jackal threats but emphasized Ireland’s focus must remain inward. “When you start changing for other people you go away from your own game. We’re happy with our game,” she explained.
Youth, Growth, and Optimism
Off the pitch, team bonding has been strong, from golf outings to birthdays and even TikTok challenges. For Flood, the most exciting element is the youthful core of the squad. With players like Aoife Dalton and Dannah O’Brien already excelling in their early twenties, she sees no ceiling to their potential. “This team is only going to build,” she said, underlining the blend of youth and experience that could carry Ireland forward.
