In a dramatic opening encounter of the WXV Global Series, the Irish women’s rugby side surrendered a sizable 19‑point cushion and ultimately succumbed to a 40‑36 defeat at the hands of the United States. The match, staged in Dublin, began with the home team asserting dominance, quickly building a 17‑0 lead within the first twenty minutes. The early points were secured by Vicky Elmes Kinlan, who crossed the try line, and Dannah O'Brien, who successfully added the conversion. Ireland’s momentum continued to build as they added two more tries before the break.

Cliodhna Moloney‑MacDonald and Aoife Wafer each grounded the ball in the opponent’s in‑goal area, pushing the score to 24‑12 at the halftime whistle. The Irish side entered the second half with confidence, extending their margin further to 31‑12, a full 19‑point lead that seemed to put the match comfortably out of reach for the visitors. However, the United States team, galvanized by a standout performance from Freda Tafuna, who would later be named player‑of‑the‑match, began a methodical and relentless comeback.

The Americans struck back with a succession of four tries that gradually eroded Ireland’s advantage. Kathryn Treder was particularly influential, scoring twice, while Hallie Taufoou and Tafuna herself each added a try to the tally. A pivotal moment arrived when Kinlan was sent to the sin‑bin, leaving Ireland temporarily short‑handed. During this period, Tafuna seized the opportunity and crossed the line for a crucial try, a score that not only narrowed the gap but also shifted the psychological momentum in favor of the United States.

This sequence set the stage for the USA’s first victory over Ireland since their historic meeting in 2018. The match’s final whistle confirmed a 40‑36 win for the United States, marking a significant upset and a hard‑learned lesson for the Irish squad.

Despite the loss, the game showcased the depth of talent on both sides and underscored the unpredictable nature of high‑level women's rugby. Looking ahead, Irish head coach Scott Bemand will have his team regroup and reflect on the lessons from this encounter as they prepare for their next test match.

The side is scheduled to travel to Japan for an away fixture at the Dexcom Stadium the following weekend, where they will aim to rebound from the disappointment in Dublin and demonstrate the resilience and skill that have defined Irish women’s rugby in recent years.