Ireland Women Face ‘Must Win’ LA Clash With China

Those 12-7 and 20-12 defeats leave Ireland (sponsored by TritonLake) bottom of Pool B, ahead of their ‘must win’ clash with leaders China later today (kick-off 6.22pm Irish time – live on RugbyPass TV).

With World Rugby’s restructuring of the HSBC SVNS model for next season, a place in the new Division 1 was already out of reach for Allan Temple-Jones’ young squad, led by Megan Burns, one of four Paris Olympians involved.

Eleventh place finishers in the HSBC SVNS Series, Ireland came to Los Angeles with a shot at qualifying for the Second Division for 2025/26. In order to give themselves an opportunity to do so, they need to move above either South Africa or Argentina in the pool table.

They failed to build on Kathy Baker’s well-taken opening try against the Springbok Women’s Sevens after just 26 seconds. South Africa snapped back to take a tight win, before Hannah Clarke and Katie Whelan landed late scores against a fast-starting Argentina.

If Temple-Jones’ side can climb into third place, they will advance to a high-stakes play-off final against the Pool A runners-up – either Spain or Brazil.

However, if they remain fourth in the Pool B standings, they will have to progress through the regiional qualifiers in order to play in the HSBC SVNS’ Division 3, a standalone Challenger event with eight teams per gender.

The slippery ball proved problematic for South Africa after receiving the kick-off. Just a couple of phases later, Ayanda Malinga’s pass was too high for Nadine Roos close to her own try-line, and Baker swooped in to register an opportunist five-pointer.

Kate Farrell McCabe topped it off with a crisp conversion, before South Africa, advancing from a high tackle penalty against Robyn O’Connor, were well marshalled by the Irish defence. Lucinda Kinghan broke up their attack with a textbook turnover.

Malinga returned fire with a ball-dislodging tackle on Clare Gorman, who was unfortunately stretchered off soon after. From the subsequent scrum, a superb arcing break saw Malinga bring the ‘Bok Women level for half-time at seven-all.

It was nip-and-tuck early on the restart, with defences on top until Burns and Clarke took Ireland back past the halfway line. The ball was worked wide to both wings where Alanna Fitzpatrick and Clarke made further inroads into the opposition 22.

Mathrin Simmers made a crucial tackle on O’Connor, and when Burns’ low pass was knocked on by Kinghan, South Africa took full advantage. Zintle Mpupha scooped up the ball and sent Roos dashing clear to score from inside her own 22.

Ireland still had two-and-a-half minutes to try and hit back, but a Baker knock-on handed possession back. Kinghan grabbed turnover ball, and Fitzpatrick had a strong run, yet South Africa stood firm to take a narrow victory.

Argentina set out their stall with an excellent start, punishing Farrell McCabe for not making 10 metres with her kick-off. Sofia Gonzalez took the ball up, sucking in defenders and offloading for Talia Rodich to dart clear from the left wing.

Gonzalez’s restart bounced loose off Burns’ fingertips, allowing Maria Taladrid to snap up possession. Once more Rodich displayed her finishing skills, using a fend to hold off Fitzpatrick and staying clear of the chasing Baker to make the line.

Rodich almost turned provider shortly afterwards for Marianela Escalante, but the influential Kinghan came to Ireland’s rescue by holding her up. Baker also made an impact at the breakdown and with ball in hand.

However, on the stroke of half-time, Escalante made it three tries without reply. Maria Brigido Chamorro attacked off a scrum, staying in play near halfway and feeding the onrushing Escalante who got in between Baker and Kinghan and would not be caught.

Turnovers continued to prove costly for Ireland on the resumption, with Gonzalez earning a penalty inside the Irish 22. Two passes later, it was scrum half Chamorro who was finishing off behind the posts to make it 20-0.

A nifty finish from the pacy Clarke saw her run in her eighth try of the season. The 19-year-old winger was invited forward by Whelan’s long pass, and some very good initial work by Burns who made sure she was first to her own kick downfield.

Armed with a 15-point buffer, Argentina wound down the clock by opting for scrums from a couple of penalties. Baker provided the Irish inspiration with a big tackle inside the final minute, and replacement Alana McInerney followed up to win a penalty.

Clarke and replacement Amy Larn added plenty of zip to the game’s final attack, as Ireland flooded back into the Argentinian 22. The ball was knocked out of McInerney’s grasp in a tackle, but Whelan reacted quickest to cross from a neat pick-up.

Wherever you are in the world, you can follow the action live from Dignity Health Sports Park on RugbyPass TV. For fans in Los Angeles, tickets for the tournament’s final day are available to buy here.

IRELAND WOMEN’S SEVENS Squad (HSBC SVNS Play-Off Competition – Dignity Health Sports Park, Los Angeles, Saturday, May 3-Sunday, May 4, 2025):

Kathy Baker (Blackrock College RFC)
Megan Burns (Blackrock College RFC) (capt)
Hannah Clarke (Tuam/Oughterard RFC/Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
Alanna Fitzpatrick (Portarlington RFC/Blackrock College RFC)
Clare Gorman (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Lucinda Kinghan (Railway Union RFC/Ulster)
Amy Larn (Athy RFC)
Lucia Linn (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)
Kate Farrell McCabe (Suttonians RFC)
Alana McInerney (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)
Robyn O’Connor (Wexford Wanderers RFC/Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Ella Roberts (Wicklow RFC/Leinster)
Katie Whelan (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)

IRELAND WOMEN’S SEVENS Results/Fixtures – HSBC SVNS Play-Off Competition:

Saturday, May 3 –

POOL B:

IRELAND 7 SOUTH AFRICA 12, Dignity Health Sports Park Pitch 2
Scorers: Ireland: Try: Kathy Baker; Con: Kate Farrell McCabe
South Africa: Tries: Ayanda Malinga, Nadine Roos; Con: Nadine Roos
HT: Ireland 7 South Africa 7

Team: Kathy Baker, Kate Farrell McCabe, Lucinda Kinghan, Robyn O’Connor, Megan Burns (capt), Clare Gorman, Alanna Fitzpatrick.

Replacements used: Hannah Clarke. Not used: Katie Whelan, Alana McInerney, Ella Roberts, Lucia Linn.

IRELAND 12 ARGENTINA 20, Dignity Health Sports Park Pitch 2
Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Hannah Clarke, Katie Whelan; Con: Katie Whelan
Argentina: Tries: Talia Rodich 2, Marianela Escalante, Maria Brigido Chamorro
HT: Ireland 0 Argentina 15

Team: Kathy Baker, Kate Farrell McCabe, Lucinda Kinghan, Robyn O’Connor, Megan Burns (capt), Hannah Clarke, Alanna Fitzpatrick.

Replacements used: Katie Whelan, Alana McInerney, Amy Larn. Not used: Ella Roberts, Lucia Linn.

Sunday, May 4 –

POOL B:

CHINA v IRELAND, Dignity Health Sports Park Pitch 2, 10.22am local time/6.22pm Irish time