World Cup Has Come 'sooner Than I Thought' - Bemand

Ireland caput coach Scott Bemand believes his broadside are further on successful their travel than he anticipated they would beryllium astatine this shape of his tenure.

Bemand is preparing his broadside up for nan Rugby World Cup successful England adjacent month, pinch Ireland drawn against Japan, Spain and New Zealand successful Pool C.

Whilst pleased pinch their success, which includes qualifying for nan tournament, beating New Zealand successful nan WXV1 and finishing 3rd successful nan Women's Six Nations, he has been amazed by their speedy progress.

"Whatever happens successful this World Cup, erstwhile I was sat successful nan question and reply for this occupation 2 years ago, I was talking astir Australia World Cup successful 2029," he told BBC Sport NI's Orla Bannon.

"I'm not amazed pinch nan level of capacity nan girls person sewage to, but pinch wherever we person sewage to, it is simply a spot sooner than we thought, but we won't conflict it."

Bemand dismissed nan conception that nan World Cup is "a free hit" and is hoping his players tin execute to their imaginable arsenic they purpose to scope nan knockout stages.

"We person earned nan correct to beryllium present and we're not nether nan radar now, we want to present connected nan world shape and if nan clip is now, it is now and there's an soul unit to present connected what we are tin of," he added.

"We person 2 warm-up games and by nan clip we get to nan shores of England, we will beryllium ready. We're concentrated connected getting our champion capacity retired location and if we do, nan results will return attraction of themselves.

"We judge we person nan capacity to get to London [where nan semi-finals are being held], truthful why not dream?"