The IRFU have again delved into the English coaching system by appointing Scott Bemand as the new head coach of the Ireland women’s squad in succession to the departed Greg McWilliams. Bemand oversaw the prolific English women’s side for eight seasons as attack coach and, no less than in the Irish men’s game, at face value the 44-year-old from Hereford looks a very good fit.
Despite an injury ravaged playing career, Bemand played 87 times at scrumhalf for Harlequions, Leicester and Bath before he was forced to retire prematurely at the age of 31 in 2010.
After a stint as head coach art Dorchester RFC, he was co-opted on to the English coaching ticket under Simon Midleton in 2015. Despite rising to number one in the world, England lost two World Cup finals against New Zealand, losing to them by 41-32 in Belfast in 2017 and by 34-31 in an epic decider against the Wayne Smith-coached Silver Ferns in Eden Park last year.
Nonetheless, England reigned supreme in the Six Nations, winning 36 out of 38 matches with Bemand as attack coach, and six of the last eight titles (including five Grand Slams). England have won their last 24 Chamionship matches in a row, bringing them four Grand Slams and the abbreviated, covid-affected championship of 2021.
His knowledge of women’s rugby and the English set-up, and specialist skills as an attack coach, look particularly suited to the Irish job, given the paltry return of three tries in last season’s wooden spoon campaign.
Granted, Bemand had more elite level talent, power and pace to work with, but by contrast England scored 45 tries for the second Championship running.
His three-year contract with the IRFU begins on August 21st, and is set to take him through to the 2025 World Cup, which is in his native England. Bemand will be in situ before Ireland’s WXV3 campaign in Dubai, which includes matches on 14th, 21st and 28th October (fixtures TBC). He will be joined by the existing coaching panel and it is understood that players from the Sevens’ Olympic-qualifying squad will be available in the autumn.
“I am proud to join the IRFU at this exciting time for the game in Ireland,” said Bemand in a statement. “It is clear speaking to the IRFU across the course of the interview process how ambitious they are to grow the women’s game and I believe that there is a promising talent pool of players who will help create a new chapter for the game here.”
The IRFU have also confirmed that Elaine Ryan will be the new IRFU Women’s XV National Teams Programme Manager. A former Ireland Sevens international (between 2013-17), Ryan previously held the positions of IRFU Under-18 and Development Sevens Team Manager and Women XV’s Team Manager between 2016 and 2019.
She will begin her new role on September 4th, having held a teaching position in Australia in recent years.
