The Daily Star Ireland
Ireland winger Béibhinn Parsons believes her side are primed and ready to hit the ground running as they begin their Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign today. Scott Bemand’s team open Pool C against Japan’s Sakura XV at Franklin’s Gardens (12pm, live on RTÉ), marking Ireland’s long-awaited return to the world stage after an eight-year absence.
Energised by an Early Start
For Parsons, the early lunchtime kick-off is less a challenge than an opportunity. With experience on the Sevens circuit—where dawn wake-ups and condensed schedules are the norm—the 23-year-old sees the timing as ideal.
“I’ve definitely played earlier in Sevens—Dubai especially, we’re up at 5am for breakfast,” she said. “I actually prefer it. You don’t have too much time to overthink, you’re energised, and you go straight in at full tilt. For me, 12 o’clock is the perfect time for a Test.”
That mindset will be crucial, given Ireland’s recent habit of starting slowly. They conceded two early tries in both of their last outings: a narrow win over Scotland and a defeat to Canada. Parsons says the team has worked hard to address that.
“We have real leaders who keep us sharp—Aoife Dalton is brilliant at making sure we’re all locked in, and our captains Edel [McMahon] and Sam [Monaghan] too,” she explained. “The physical work is already done by match day. It’s all about being mentally switched on.”
A Career of Highs and Setbacks
Parsons made history in 2018 when, at just 16, she became Ireland’s youngest ever international. Since then, her path has been anything but straightforward. Juggling commitments between 15s and Sevens, she’s also battled injuries, including two broken legs in just over a year.
Despite those setbacks, she remains one of Ireland’s most exciting talents. She scored twice against Canada in the recent warm-up match, bringing her tally to 17 tries in 28 caps. Now part of a competitive back-three alongside Stacey Flood and Amee-Leigh Costigan, Parsons insists selection comes down to performance, not reputation.
“There’s so much competition for places—especially in the back three—that outside noise doesn’t matter,” she said. “It’s not about age or status, it’s about form and what you bring to the team. That keeps you grounded and focused.”
A Long-Awaited World Cup Debut
Although already an Olympian, Parsons is set for her first Rugby World Cup appearance. Apart from Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald, every member of the squad will also be making their debut in the tournament.
“For me, this is the dream,” Parsons admitted to RTÉ Sport. “I’ve taken things one campaign at a time, but to finally make a World Cup feels like a fresh start in my career. Even though I’ve been around for a while, it feels like we’re only getting going.”
Her excitement is matched with determination: “You don’t want to overthink it or psyche yourself out, but it really is a dream come true. I can’t wait to rip into it.”
