Parsons, who was named player of the match, scored three tries in the opening half to spearhead the Irish attack. The attendance set a new benchmark for an Ireland women's home game. Parsons praised the atmosphere, saying the crowd was fantastic and the support was palpable on the pitch. She added that such tries had been practiced in training and it was special to execute them on the international stage. Parsons also reflected on the growing fanbase, noting it was fantastic to see everyone from young to old.
This win comes after Ireland lost 33-12 to England in their previous Six Nations match, marking a significant rebound. Italy managed to secure a try bonus point late in the game, but the Irish performance overshadowed that effort. The fixture was Ireland's first Women's Six Nations game held in Galway, adding a historic dimension to the victory. Head coach Scott Bemand, now in his third Six Nations with Ireland, has yet to secure a win against England or France during his tenure. Bemand emphasized the importance of home victories, saying they always want to win in Ireland regardless of the opponent. He also pointed to areas for improvement, noting they need to take stock and prepare for France next week.
The crowd here is absolutely fantastic and they have been screaming from minute one to minute 80.
Ireland now faces a challenging upcoming match against France in Clermont next week. France began their Six Nations campaign with a victory over Italy. Historically, France knocked Ireland out of last year's World Cup, adding stakes to the upcoming clash. Meanwhile, Italy's recent form includes their first ever Six Nations win over England. As Ireland prepares for France, the team will aim to build on their Galway success while addressing the gaps Bemand identified. The match against France will test Ireland's progress under Bemand, who is seeking his first win against a top-tier opponent in the tournament.
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.
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.
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.