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Ireland women beat Italy 57-20 with record Galway crowd

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Key Points
  • Beibhinn Parsons scored a first-half hat-trick in Ireland's 57-20 win over Italy.
  • The attendance of 9,206 set a record for an Ireland women's home game.
  • Ireland's victory followed a loss to England, with coach Scott Bemand yet to beat top teams like England or France.

Beibhinn Parsons was named player of the match in Ireland's first Women's Six Nations fixture in Galway, highlighting her standout performance in the dominant victory. The win came after Ireland lost to England 33-12 in their previous Six Nations match, a result that underscores the challenges facing head coach Scott Bemand in his third Six Nations campaign, during which he has not yet beaten England or France. Ireland now faces a tough test against France, who knocked them out of last year's World Cup and began their Six Nations campaign with a victory over Italy.

The record attendance of 9,206 underscores the rising popularity of women's rugby in Ireland, setting a positive tone as the team prepares for upcoming challenges in the tournament, including the match against France.

The crowd here is absolutely fantastic and they have been screaming from minute one to minute 80.

Beibhinn Parsons, Ireland rugby player

We really felt that on the pitch and it is a dream come true to be able to play in Galway in front of such an amazing crowd. To put in a performance like that was just fantastic.

Beibhinn Parsons, Ireland rugby player

Those types of tries have been coming off in training so to have one now on the international stage is just fantastic. It's so special.

Beibhinn Parsons, Ireland rugby player

We talked about our green wave and how much it has built. To see the crowd here today, everyone from young and old, it's fantastic.

Beibhinn Parsons, Ireland rugby player
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Ireland women beat Italy 57-20 with record Galway crowd | Reed News