The Women's Six Nations is coming to a close, and with that we thought we’d explore how a win vs Scotland this weekend could qualify Ireland for the Rugby World Cup.
There is more on offer in this final round than pride, prestige and acclaim, depending on your final table position, including Rugby World Cup qualification and (in Ireland’s case) a spot in WXV1 or WXV2.
Currently, Scott Bemand’s side sit fifth in the table with six points to their name, accumulated through their 36-5 victory over Wales in Cork back in round three, and their 27-21 narrow defeat to Italy in the RDS in round two, in which they managed to secure a losing bonus point.
Currently Ireland sit in 5th place with 6 points.
We play Scotland (8 points) and Italy (6 points) take on Wales (1 point). pic.twitter.com/3jX0S6Iqlt— IrishWomensRugbySupportersClub (@IrishWomens) April 25, 2024
With a strong squad listed, including the return of co captain Sam Monaghan in the second row, Enya Breen to centre and Méabh Deely at fullback, Bemand and the Girls in Green will hope to make history in more ways than one, aspiring to clinch such qualification in front of a record breaking crowd at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.
While England and France will play out the title decider in Bordeaux, Ireland, Scotland and Italy are all vying for third place, which would mean World Cup 2025 qualification and promotion to WXV1.
Given Ireland and Scotland play each other, the result of that game will have a massive baring on the final standings, although so too will Italy’s clash with Wales, despite the Azzurri being heavily favoured to win that one outright.
Long story short, it’s going to be tight and come down to the wire, where bonus points and score difference could both come into play.
Short story long, seeing as Scotland currently have eight points and Italy and Ireland have six, for Ireland to claim the illustrious prize on offer, they would have to win, with a bonus point, and hope Italy either lose (which is unlikely), or win, but without a bonus point.
However, were Ireland and Italy both to win with a bonus point, the showdown would then come down to points difference.
As things stand, Italy currently edge ahead in that capacity, with a -72 score difference, in comparison to Ireland’s -74.
With that said though, there is still of course a round of matches to go, so were the points difference tally avenue to come to fruition,
Ireland would just need to come out on the right side of Scotland, by three more points than Italy would to Wales.
How A Win vs Scotland This Weekend Could Qualify Ireland For The Rugby World Cup, and a loss would mean Bemand’s side have to take another route
If those scenarios weren’t enacted, and instead Ireland lose and place fourth or fifth, they would still be allotted into WXV2, but they would then need to place in the top six of teams who haven’t already qualified for the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
Having avoided the dreaded wooden spoon that saw them relegated to WXV3 last year, it’s promising that Ireland would in fact go on to qualify for the 2025 competition after the fact, even if it weren’t to happen this weekend.
From the heartache of last year’s showcase to the defiant yet still work in progress ethos of their 2024 Six Nations campaign, they’ve come on leaps and bounds, but were this to come off for them this weekend, it would be a certain statement of intent from Bemand and his team, regardless of how tight the margins are.
The Ireland team to face Scotland in the final round of the @Womens6Nations on Saturday in Belfast! ☘️
🎟️ Get your tickets: https://t.co/HcwCx085Go 👈#IrishRugby #WeAreIreland— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) April 25, 2024
