Ireland's women's rugby is experiencing a powerful transformation, and head coach Scott Bemand is at the heart of it. Speaking ahead of a crucial Women's Six Nations finale, Bemand highlighted a noticeable "mindset shift" rippling through every level of the game in the country—from the senior squad down to the underage ranks.
The numbers back up the optimism. Ireland's senior side has climbed to fifth in the world rankings after a strong 2025 campaign, and they're determined to finish this year's Six Nations on a high. After a tough loss to France last time out, the team is now focused on securing back-to-back home victories against Wales and Scotland in Belfast. But it's not just the senior team making waves. Bemand pointed to historic wins at underage level as proof of a deeper cultural change: the under-21s recorded their first-ever victory over England in the Women's Six Nations last Saturday, while the under-18s defeated the Red Roses just last month.
"Yes, I do see that mindset shift, and it is highlighted by the level of disappointment after the France game," Bemand said. "We said we didn't want to be plucky losers, and we're not operating in that space anymore. I like that little bit of expectation we place on ourselves. People say we appear confident, and we should be—we have good players, a group that can score tries. We hadn't scored a maul try against a top-four side, and over in France last week we got one. We're developing and showing we have the capability."
Bemand's words reflect a team that has moved beyond simply hoping for success. "Two or three years ago, we were talking about belief and confidence, but now we have the tools to keep going after it. The mindset now is we have the capability," he added. It's a sentiment that resonates with fans and players alike, signaling a new era for Irish women's rugby.
After a fallow week, Ireland will look to bounce back from their defeat in Clermont when they host Wales on Saturday. While Bemand is "really pleased" with the opportunities his side has created in all three games so far, he wants more clinical execution. "We just need to take our points when they're there. We did that in spades in the first half against Italy, but we know there are two halves, and we think there were still points out there to be taken," he said. Wales may be winless, but they proved dangerous by scoring 26 points against England in their last outing—a warning Ireland won't take lightly.
For fans of the sport, this is a thrilling time. The mindset shift Bemand describes isn't just about winning—it's about believing in the process, the players, and the future of Irish women's rugby. And with home games on the horizon, there's no better time to get behind the team.