Bemand hails Ireland 'machines' after WXV victory

Scott Bemand compared his Ireland side to "machines" as they made it two from two at the WXV3 with a comprehensive victory over Colombia.

Ireland ran in ten tries in the 64-3 victory in Dubai and set up a winner takes all finale against Spain next Saturday.

The game was over as a contest after Ireland scored their fourth try in the xx minute but, similar to last weekend's 109-0 win over Kazakhstan, they never let up.

"There are two stand-outs," Bemand told RTÉ Sport.

"The first half you can view as a whole. The girls were like machines.

"We focused on certain things in training and it was evident in bucket loads.

"Half-time we were 50 up on the scoreboard and the challenge was to not breath out and they came out and executed on the first play. Those are the two biggies."

Ireland finished bottom of the Six Nations table last spring and for the second match in a row held their opponents try-less.

"Defensively it just meant that we didn't switch off for the full 80 minutes," said co-captain Edel McMahon.

"That was probably the most crucial part of the game. Although the scores were coming and we hit a long purple patch. [Then] for the girls to switch around [a defensive play close] and turn it into a score was probably our biggest takeway. Not conceding a try was a big bonus."

McMahon was one of a handful of players in the travelling squad who were beaten in the 2021 World Cup qualifier by Spain in 2021.

The result ultimately cost Ireland a place in New Zealand but McMahon says there has been no talk of revenge ahead of next weekend.

"I haven't really been thinking about the game we played before," said the back row.

"They are a different squad, we are a completely different squad. We are off the back of two good wins and good