O'Brien, Ireland went down 21-8 to hosts Canada in Vancouver in their second match of the WXV1 tournament. Having secured a shock win over world champions New Zealand in their opening game, Scott Bemand's side were keen to add the scalp of the world-ranked number two side but fell just short despite a spirited performance.

Canada's beating France last week saw them move from third to second in the world rankings. They are a Government/CRU funded professional side and playing on home soil.

Ireland lost 21-8 to host team Canada 21-8 in Vancouver in their second match of the WXV1 tournament. Despite a hearty performance, during which they lost Linda Djougang and Niamh O'Dowd to almost simultaneous yellow cards, Ireland fell short of a win after beating world champions New Zealand in their opening game.

LANGLEY, B.C. - The Canadian women's rugby team started quickly and then dug in defensively to beat Ireland 21-8 in WXV international tournament play on Saturday at Langley Events Centre.

It’s a challenge made all the more testing by the fact that Scott Bemand’s side is now being asked to take down Canada less than a week after accounting for New Zealand’s world champions. A Kiwi scalp will never lose its currency but there are others of equal value in the women’s game right now.