All eyes turned to the Kingspan Stadium this afternoon as Scott Bemand's Ireland took on Scotland in the final round of the Guinness Women's Six Nations.
With World Cup qualification on the line, a win this afternoon was crucial. After Wales did Ireland a massive favour by beating Italy, Ireland knew a victory would send them to next year's World Cup.
But Scotland were chasing the same prize and theygot scoring underway as Elis Martin crashed over in the 7th minute.
A serious injury to Scotlands' Caity Mattinson in the 11th minute stopped play for a period as she was stretchered off.
A period of defence followed by both sides and before we knew it it was half time .
Running into the sheds Scotland lead 0-5.
SEE ALSO: Emotional Brittany Hogan Shows What Qualifying For World Cup Meant To Young Ireland Team
It wasn't until the 41st minute that scoring got underway once more as Brittany Hogan broke the line and offloaded to winger Katie Corrigan who crashed over for Ireland's first try of the afternoon. Dannah O' Brien's conversion just missed the post.
Scotland retaliated with a try of their own in the 49th minute as Lisa Thomson. Helen Nelson kicked over her first conversion of the afternoon.
But Ireland didn't let this phase them as Cliodhna Moloney, only on the pitch 15 minutes, crashed over in the 58th minute.
Dannah O' Brien sent the conversion soaring through the posts.
A penalty in the 73rd minute for Ireland secured the win as Dannah O' Brien sent the ball flying through the uprights.
It was Bemand's day in the end as Ireland ran out winners with a score of 15-12, securing their place in the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
The difference between the 2023 Six Nations and the 2024 Six Nations was night and day for Ireland. Two wins from five but they won the game the needed most.
IRELAND: Méabh Deely, Katie Corrigan, Eve Higgins, Enya Breen, Beibhinn Parsons; Dannah O' Brien, Aoibheann Reilly; Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Christy Haney; Dorothy Wall, Sam Monaghan; Aoife Wafer, Edel McMahon; Brittany Hogan.
Subs: Cliodhna Moloney (45th min), Niamh O’ Dowd (40th min), Sadhbh Mcgrath, Fiona Tuite, Shannon Ikahihifo (71st min), Molly Scuffil-Mccabe, Aoife Dalton, Katie Heffernan
Tries: Katie Corrigan, Cliodhna Moloney
Cons: Dannah O' Brien
Pens: Dannah O' Brien
SCOTLAND: Meryl Smith, Coreen Grant, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson, Caity Mattinson; Leah Bartlett, Elis Martin, Christine Belisle; Emma Wassell, Louise McMillan; Rachel Malcolm, Alex Steward; Evie Gallagher.
Subs: Molly Wright (62nd min), Lisa Cockburn (62nd min), Elliann Clarke (47th min), Eva Donaldson (58th min), Rachel McLachlan (58th min), Mairi McDonald (11th min), Citron Bell, Nicole Flynn.
