Rugby World Cup 2025: Ireland co-captain Sam Monaghan eyes run to final

After missing out on the last World Cup, Ireland reached a nadir in the 2023 Six Nations when they finished last without a single point.

But the team have made clear strides under former England attack coach Scott Bemand, who replaced Greg McWilliams as head coach in July 2023, clinching a World Cup spot with a third-place finish in this year’s Six Nations.

That was followed by a productive autumn in which Bemand’s side beat Australia 36-10 in Belfast before a stunning 29-27 success over the Black Ferns in their WXV1 opener in Vancouver.

“We all know the work we’ve done behind closed doors,” added Monaghan, who missed the WXV tournament because of a knee injury she picked up while playing for Gloucester-Hartpury in the Premiership final in June.

“Individually, we’ve worked really hard and collectively as a group. We’ve grown the depth in our squad and some the Sevens players have injected pace and power into the group.

“To the outside world, it may seem like it’s been overnight but for us it’s been competition to competition and the belief has always been there.”