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Dramatic win for Ireland and consigns Scotland to wooden spoon
By PA
A last-minute converted try from Ireland centre Enya Breen condemned Scotland to the wooden spoon as the final match of the 2022 Women’s Six Nations went all the way to the wire at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.
The Scots were leading 14-8 as the game went into extra time but their hearts were broken by Breen, who forced her way over for the all-important try and maintained her composure to add the conversion that secured a 15-14 victory.
Scotland finish the tournament with five defeats from five matches yet they made a dream start with a fifth-minute try from number eight Evie Gallagher.
Ireland’s Hannah O’Connor pulled three points back with a long-range penalty after 15 minutes and missed another kick that would have put her side in front.
However, the hosts struck on the stroke of half-time, with hooker Neve Jones driven over from a clinical line-out to turn around 8-5 in front.
Scotland made the more impressive start to the second half and drew level after 52 minutes with a penalty from Helen Nelson, who kicked two more as Ireland lost their discipline.
It looked enough to end their drought but Ireland, who finish fourth, produced one last push for victory and Breen delivered.
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Latest Comments
I'm honestly not so sure. I initially thought just reckless mainly because no player should be capable of doing that intentionally.
There's a strong argument that he's working both the eyes. It's his left hand he uses which is furthest from the ball he's contesting. His fingers are also clenched which I don't think is a natural way to try and rip a ball.
Go to comments"I see those teams, SA in particular, as only improving their performances in EPCR."
well, its gone the opposite direction so far!
"I don't like your model that requires them to reach Semi Final level in the Challenge trophy, given the bottleneck that will be URC with 16 teams playing for only 4 places."
my model would have given SA 3 spots in a 16 team CC this year, which is the same number as they have in the 24 team version that is actually taking place. But yes, if they keep getting worse it would get harder for them to get places. It would also get harder for you to argue that they deserve places though!
"I suggest by giving say Englands two semi finalist first seeds of the english teams, then the next best 4 on the league table as much better (it catches improving teams faster)."
interesting argument, but it doesn't always go that way. Gloucester are improving, but they improved in cup competitions before league fixtures started going their way. The same is true of Sharks, and the same was true of la Rochelle. I think maybe this is just an argument for allowing more teams to qualify via the challenge cup!
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