Ireland 'desperate to show best version' - Bemand

Breaking news from the world of sport: Ireland 'desperate to show best version' - BemandImage source, InphoImage caption, Bemand's side sit third in the table, while Scotland are fifth ByJana McCabeBBC Sport NI journalistPublished16 May 2026Ireland head coach Scott Bemand said his side "are desperate to get on the pitch and show people what they can do" in Sunday's final Six Nations match against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium . Bemand's side are aiming to register their third home win of this campaign and secure third position in the table. More than 30,000 tickets have been sold for the match in Dublin, which is a record number for a women's rugby match in Ireland.

"We're desperate to get out there. We've done the prep work. Now it's about recover, refresh and get ready to go," Bemand said.

Match Details

"The girls are desperate to get on the pitch and show people what they can do. I think we've got a confidence that says we know how to get our best versions out there, our best performance out there, and we'll go after that. "It won't ever be perfect.

That's not what rugby looks like. "Ireland's confidence will be high after beating Italy and Wales on home turf and they face a Scottish side who are without a win in their past three matches. However, it was Scotland who were the 26-19 victors last time the sides met after a strong second-half comeback.

"They look like they're well organised. They'll take some breaking down," added Bemand. "They look like they have a plan and know how to go about it to achieve it.

Reactions and Expectations

What we're going to have to do is get physical. We're going to have to carry dominance. "We're going to have to create the opportunities rather than opportunities just present themselves early in phases.

That's alright with us. We understand the challenge. "'We'll enjoy the occasion'Earlier this campaign at the Dexcom Stadium, a 9,206-strong crowd set a new record for an Ireland women's home game.

However, with more than 30,000 tickets sold so far for the first standalone women's rugby match at the Aviva, that record has been well and truly broken. Bemand said: "Our role is to get a great performance that people want to get on the back of and to produce a great result. We want to get people on their feet.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.