O'Brien named to start in Pool C decider against New Zealand

Carlow’s Dannah O’Brien has been rewarded for her outstanding performances so far at this Rugby World Cup with a place in the starting lineup for Ireland’s final pool game this Sunday against the reigning World Champions, New Zealand.

The Tullow fly half was perfection personified against Japan, kicking all six of Ireland’s conversions in their first outing.

O’Brien was less successful from the tee against Spain last time out, landing just three of her seven shots on goal, but she did score the game’s opening try – her very first at test level – and put in a phenomenal performance in open play where her huge left boot was pivotal for Ireland in both attack and defence.

Still a few weeks shy of her 22nd birthday, O’Brien will earn her 29th cap against the World Champions.

Ireland and New Zealand both come into this game with 100% records from their first two fixtures, meaning Sunday’s clash will be a playoff for top spot in Pool C.

The prize for the winners will be a quarter-final against the Pool D runners-up in Sandy Park, home of former European Champions Exeter Chiefs; while the losers will face the Pool D winners, likely to be France, also in Sandy Park.

The Black Ferns will go into the game as heavy favourites, having won six of the last seven Women’s Rugby World Cups going back to 1998.

Ireland have had New Zealand’s number when the two teams have collided in the past, holding a 2-1 record against the Kiwis, including a shock victory at the 2014 World Cup as well as a win in last year’s WXV tournament.

Irish Head Coach Scott Bemand will be hoping the venue for the game will be a good omen; Ireland v New Zealand takes place in the AmEx Stadium, home of Premier League side Brighton, and the site of one of the most famous upsets in rugby history – the Brighton Miracle – where Japan shocked the world by beating South Africa at the 2015 Men’s World Cup.