Ireland’s World Cup run ends at the quarter-final stage against France, but not without controversy. The infamous “bite” incident grabs headlines, but the real story is Ireland’s performance across the pitch, the progress of this campaign, and what it means heading into the next four-year cycle.

Ailbhe and Cian are joined by Ireland prop Christy Haney and Munster Player of the Year Chloe Pearse to reflect on the defeat, from Linda Djougang’s relentless carrying to Ruth Campbell’s fearlessness in the tight exchanges. They dig into Ireland’s scrum and maul dominance, where the attack still needs to evolve, and how pathways and depth will shape the future.

The episode also features Aoife Clarke, Communications Director with the IRFU, on the landmark announcement of Ireland v Scotland at the Aviva in 2026 — with ticket sales already breaking records and signalling a cultural shift in Irish rugby.

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00:00 Introduction
00:25 Aoife Clarke's Journey with IRFU
01:09 Cultural Shift and Challenges
03:27 Social Media's Role in Women's Rugby
05:05 Upcoming Game and Ticket Sales
07:48 Reflecting on Past Matches and Future Goals
12:54 Quarterfinals Recap
14:49 Bite Gate Controversy
20:37 Game Analysis and Referee Critique
28:14 Player Performance Highlights
29:51 Scrum and Set Piece Analysis
31:55 Critical Moments and Player Mistakes
35:04 Future Prospects and Team Development
45:07 Upcoming Matches and Predictions
48:19 Retirements and Contract Controversies
53:16 Lucky Dip!