Seven-try Ireland beat Spain to near last eight

Women's World Cup - Pool C

Ireland (24) 43

Tries: O'Brien, Costigan, Higgins, McGann 2, Moore 2 Cons: O'Brien 3, Breen

Spain (12) 27

Tries: C Perez, Roman, Pena-Hildago, Alameda, Blanco Cons: Argudo

Ireland closed in on the Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with a seven-try victory over Spain at Franklin's Gardens.

Only a bonus-point win for Japan over New Zealand on Sunday could now deny Ireland a place in the last eight with a round to spare.

Scott Bemand's side, who did qualify for the last World Cup in New Zealand, had their bonus-point wrapped up by half-time but were made to work for the win against a spirited Spanish side.

Anna McGann and Grace Moore both crossed twice for Ireland but Spain managed five scores of their own in a game the victors did not make safe until midway through the second half.

Despite their expected progression to the knockout phase for the first time since 2014, it was not a wholly positive afternoon for Ireland who lost co-captain Sam Monaghan to injury in the first half.

Already without Erin King and Dorothy Wall for the tournament, and with Aoife Wafer yet to feature, Ireland will try to secure top spot in Pool C when they meet New Zealand in Brighton on Sunday, 7 September.

Ireland's management team had called for another quick start in Franklin's Gardens and got just that when Dannah O'Brien crossed for her first international try after only seven minutes.

The 21-year-old fly-half started the move with a testing kick to the Spanish backfield, although winger Amee-Leigh Costigan deserved plenty of credit for chasing forward to claim the loose ball. From there, Ireland worked the ball back inside for O'Brien to cross.

After going six-from-six off the tee in the opening win over Japan, O'Brien converted her own score although missed three conversions and a penalty thereafter.

On their next visit to the Spanish 22, Ireland scored again after knocking a penalty to the corner and using the maul to gain ground before the ball was released to the backs and Costigan went over in the corner.

Despite making seven changes from the win over Japan a week prior, it appeared Ireland had not missed a beat.

However, Spain have proved an awkward opponent in the recent past and this was to prove no different.

Using their maul to set the platform, winger Claudia Perez was the beneficiary of her forwards' good work that allowed her to scamper over in the corner.

Five minutes later, Spain attacked off the maul again and this time there was no need to release the ball to the backs as hooker Marieta Roman barged across the whitewash and Amalia Argudo's conversion from the touchline levelled the score.

After a penalty from O'Brien came back off the post as Ireland sought to quickly regain the lead, tries from Eve Higgins and McGann ensured they would have their four-score bonus in the bag before half-time.

The game, however, still needed to be won, all the more so when three minutes after the restart centre Claudia Pena scored Spain's third try to make it a one-score game again.

Only then, did Ireland really take control of the high-scoring contest with number eight Moore coming to the fore.

The side's back-row depth has been greatly tested at this tournament with King and Wall both suffering injuries during the Six Nations that ruled them out the World Cup.

When Wafer will make her tournament bow has been a consistent question throughout the two weeks in Northampton but it was replacement number eight Moore who helped Ireland finally seize control of the game.

Consistently picking good lines to match her powerful carrying, her pair of tries were separated by 10 minutes and gave Ireland their biggest lead of the day just shy of the hour mark.

Lourdes Alameda and McGann traded scores as Spain secured a try-bonus of their own, and it was the beaten side who had the final say when Cristina Blanco scored off an inventive line-out with the last play.

Ireland will wait on news of Monaghan's injury and, of course, Wafer's fitness but that such a rotated side helped the side into the last eight with a game to spare will only augur well ahead of the greater challenges to come.

Ireland: Flood; McGann, Dalton, Higgins, Costigan; O'Brien, Scuffil-McCabe; Perry, Moloney, Djougang; Corri-Fallon, Monaghan (co-capt); Tuite, Boles, Moore.

Replacements: Jones, McCarthy, McGrath, Campbell, Hogan, Lane, Breen, McGillvray.

Spain: Argudo, C Perez, Pena-Hidalgo, Cano, Piquero, Z. Perez, Fernandez de Corres, Silva, Roman, E. Garcia, Alameda, Martinez, Pineiro, Peralta, V. Perez

Replacements: Blanco, Delgado, de Andres, Puig, Castelo, N. Garcia, Vergara, Ducher

Referee: Kat Roche (USA)