Ireland women's rugby head coach Scott Bemand says something has changed in the way his players think about themselves, and back-to-back youth victories over England are the clearest evidence yet.
The Ireland under-21s beat England in the Women's Six Nations on Saturday, following the under-18s' win over the same opposition last month. Bemand pointed to both results when describing what he sees as a broader cultural shift inside Irish women's rugby at every level.
"Yes, I do see that [mindset shift] and it is highlighted by the level of disappointment after the France game. We said we didn't want to be plucky losers and we're not operating in that space anymore," he said.
Ireland's senior side has climbed to fifth in the world rankings after a strong 2025, but the team enters this weekend's home match against Wales in Belfast carrying frustration from a defeat in Clermont against France in their last outing. Bemand said the disappointment in his group's dressing room after that loss was itself a sign of how far the program has come.
"Two or three years ago we were talking about belief and confidence but now we have the tools to keep going after it. I think there has been a mindset shift. The under-18s beat England recently, under-21s have just beaten England, the mindset now is we have the capability," he said.
The senior side has two home fixtures remaining in the Women's Six Nations, against Wales on Saturday and then Scotland, giving Ireland the opportunity to finish the tournament on a strong note. Wales arrives without a win but scored 26 points against England in their previous game, a detail that has not gone unnoticed in the Irish camp.
Bemand said his main concern heading into Saturday is clinical finishing. Ireland has created chances in all three games this campaign but has not converted consistently enough. He wants a fast start against Wales and for his team to sustain pressure deep into the match.
The coach has also been open about his satisfaction with 22-year-old captain Erin King, who stepped into the leadership role this season. "She's an absolute pleasure to work with. You can see the energy and passion that she brings into a media room. She's so incredibly driven," Bemand explained, adding that he used the Sam Warburton model when selecting her, wanting a player others would follow.
Ireland host Wales in Belfast on Saturday.
