The Irish Women’s rugby team’s demolition at the hands of England on Saturday was hard to watch. It punctured the momentum of the win over Wales the previous weekend but potential redemption could be there next weekend with 3rd place finish in the tournament, and automatic qualification for next year’s Rugby World Cup in England still in Irish hands.
Ireland currently lie fifth in the table behind Scotland in 3rd and Italy in 4th.
A Scotland win over Ireland at Kingspan Stadium next Saturday will secure them the invaluable place in the World Cup.
But similarly an Irish win against the Scots could be enough to secure the spot for Scott Bemand’s team.
That would also depend on the result of Italy’s final game against Wales in Cardiff with that game concluding half an hour before Ireland and Scotland take to the field.
Here are the Guinness Six Nations Rules:
The Union with the highest number of Match Points will be placed first and the other Unions placed in descending order according to the Match Points awarded.
If two or more Unions finish the Championship with the same number of Match Points, they will be placed according to the difference between the total points scored and the total points conceded on the fields of play in all Matches.
If any such Unions also have the same points difference, they will be placed according to the number of tries (including penalty tries) scored by each Union in all Matches.
If any such Unions have also scored the same number of tries (including penalty tries), they will be placed equally.
As things stand Scotland have eight points, a -47 points difference and six tries. Italy have six points, a -72 points difference and 7 tries. Ireland also have six points, a -74 points difference after the pain of Twickenham and 11 tries.
If Wales beat Italy in the 12:15 kick off next weekend, then the game in Belfast becomes a straight shootout. Whoever wins goes to the World Cup.
If Italy win then Ireland have to match them with any Bonus Points and get a two point better victory margin to grab the main prize.
They will know what is required before they take to the field.
It will make for the most important and potentially most dramatic game the Irish women have faced since making it to the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup and winning the Grand Slam a decade ago.
It will have been a dark journey home after Saturday’s defeat but sport always offers the chance of redemption and this could yet be a Six Nations to remember for all the right reasons.
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