Ireland beat New Zealand: Grace Davitt says increased IRFU women’s funding paying off

The former Ireland centre said the IRFU’s plan to have professional structures in all four provinces within the next three years shows “Irish rugby is really pushing it, putting the investment in”.

The 56-times-capped Davitt also believes coach Scott Bemand, who was appointed in July 2023, has played a huge role in Ireland’s return to being a force in the women’s game.

“Last year, he hadn’t much time with the team but you [still] saw the results come in the Six Nations [when they finished third and qualified for the next World Cup].

“You look at this [win over New Zealand] now. He’s had time with the team. He’s brought in coaches that he wants involved and that freshness, with new ideas coming in.”

Davitt says new thinking was obvious in Ireland’s shock victory in Vancouver, particularly in regard to a huge defensive effort.

“The defence won it for them. They came up so hard. They closed New Zealand down and put pressure on.

“The physicality of Ireland as well. That fitness and being in that high performance environment, being a professional athlete, being able to recover, being able to do your strength and conditioning.”