USA BEAT IRELAND 40-36 IN WXV GLOBAL SERIES OPENER

The United States beat Ireland 40-36 in the opening match of the WXV Global Series at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin, recovering from a 19-point deficit in the second half. Ireland, coached by Scott Bemand, had led 31-12 shortly after half-time before the United States scored four successive tries to complete the turnaround. The United States were coached by Jack Hanratty, who is Irish. The match was the first women's rugby Test to be played at Tallaght Stadium, the home ground of football club Shamrock Rovers.

Ireland's first-half tries came from Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Aoife Wafer and Eve Higgins, while the United States, playing without Ilona Maher, replied through co-captain Georgie Perris-Redding and Hope Rogers. Erin King then extended Ireland's lead to 31-12 early in the second half, finishing a move started by Robyn O'Connor. Elmes Kinlan was then shown a yellow card during the second half, described as a turning point in the match. With Ireland reduced to 14 players, the United States scored four tries in a row, including two from Treder and further tries from Taufoo and Tafuna, to overturn the deficit. Ireland added a further try through Wall, while Dannah O'Brien and Bella Vogel kicked the conversions for Ireland and the United States respectively.

The result opened the WXV Global Series for both teams. Bemand said after the game that his side had lost "a game we should have won". Hanratty, an Irish coach, led the United States to victory over Ireland in Dublin. Ireland's discipline faltered after they established their second-half lead, allowing the United States back into contention.