Scott Bemand believes Ireland have gone some way to banishing their Parma demons, after a 54-12 hammering of Italy in the Guinness Women's Six Nations.
Ireland racked up their biggest Six Nations tally since 2015 in this afternoon's eight-try defeat of the Italians, their first win against the Azzurre since 2022.
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi has been an infamous venue for this Irish team in recent seasons, losing there to Italy in the wooden spoon campaign of 2023, while it was also the ground where their World Cup qualification hopes were crushed by Spain and Scotland in 2021.
Bemand wasn't coaching Ireland during those previous Parma visits, but he says this afternoon’s Six Nations win at the venue was an important one for those who have come before.
"A couple of years ago there was a result here that meant quite a lot to the Irish people, when we didn't end up qualifying for the World Cup," he said, referencing the defeat to Scotland in September 2021.
"To come back here and put 50 points on what I think was a good, combative Italy team, that matters to this group and to people who have been here longer than me."
Ireland kick-started their Six Nations campaign with the dominant win, which lifts them up to third in the table ahead of the meeting with England on 12 April.
And Bemand was thrilled with how his side’s attacking game clicked, compared to their high error count against France last week.
"We said we're moving in the right direction and we couldn’t prove that last week with a win. It was really important to go back to the training ground, tidy up some of those pieces, and I think some of the scores today, we took from last week and out things right this week," he added.
Player of the Match Aoife Dalton echoed the thoughts of her head coach, admitting they had a point to prove after a sloppy attacking display in Belfast a week ago.
"I think just coming on the back of last week, we knew we left a lot out there and our execution let us down," she said of last week.
"To come out here today and score 50 points, that’s huge for us. I don't know is that our biggest victory ever, but I’m just delighted for the whole squad, all of the girls, all of our staff, because so much went into this week. We knew we weren't good enough last week. We’re delighted.
"Italy are a fantastic side, they came to Ireland last year and beat us, so we knew what we were facing this week and the challenge it would be."
The 21-year-old (above) was named Player of the Match in an all-action display, scoring Ireland’s opening try, among nine carries, while she also contributed 15 tackles, one of which held denied Italy a certain try on the stroke of half time.
However, the Old Belvedere centre was quick to share the praise with her team-mates after what she described as "a complete team performance".
"I’m definitely not the star in the backline, with all the Sevens girls. I’ll go back and share this with them.
"We’ll definitely celebrate but I'm sure when we come back we'll have a bit of rest, and then we'll come in and get ready for England in two weeks.
"It’s our second home game, so we can't wait to be at home again in Cork, hopefully with loads of people coming to support us," she added.
