RWC2025 | Ellena Perry (IRE), Ireland head coach Scott Bemand and vice-captain Amee Leigh Costigan react to their 43-27 Pool C win
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Player of the Match Ellena Perry (IRE), Ireland head coach Scott Bemand and vice-captain Amee Leigh Costigan react to their 43-27 Pool C win over Spain in at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday.
Ellena Perry, Mastercard Player of the Match
On Spain:
"They really tested us today. We know they were going to come out firing and they pushed us right to the end. Well played to them.
On the match:
"We just needed to get front-foot ball and keep possession. It was difficult but we got the win."
On the first two matches:
"Obviously two bonus-point wins which we can't fault but we've got a lot of learnings this week and a big game [against New Zealand] in Brighton next week."
Scott Bemand, head coach
On the game:
"The seven tries aren't to be sniffed at, there's some good tries, good variety. You look at how we came out of the blocks against spirited Spanish team - in defence and attack - and we thought we were getting on top. Then we became our own worst enemies a little bit.
"As we go through the competition, games are going to become increasingly difficult so we've got to start backing sets up. We scored some really good tries; what we've got to do is get out of your half and reset. It turned into a bit of a flip-flop game."
On the errors:
"We're two games in. If we go to London, there's four more games in this competition. There's bits that we'll go at harder this week, we always go at ourselves harder than anybody, and try to keep the momentum going to next week. And we're in the quarter-final."
Amee Leigh Costigan, vice-captain
On taking over as captain:
"The girls were really supportive. Just because Sam [Monaghan] went off, doesn't mean there weren't leaders on the pitch other than me. But it was a really tough game. We knew Spain were going to be tough, hearty opposition. We came out the right side of it but a lot of things to work on."
On whether there were mistakes:
"Absolutely, and we have high standards and expectations of ourselves. We'll go back and review that game and see where we can improve on that."
On the positives:
"We're two [wins] from two [matches], back at the World Cup and into the quarter-finals. That's something special and gives our fans something to cheer about. It makes us so proud to wear this jersey and a huge honour to be here."
