Ireland on verge of Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-finals after seeing off stubborn Spain

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - Ireland took a giant stride towards the last eight of the Women's Rugby World Cup with a hard-fought 43-27 win over Spain on Sunday.

The bonus-point victory left Ireland, fifth in the world rankings, with a maximum 10 points from their opening two Pool C games.

Victory for New Zealand over Japan in Sunday's other Pool C clash will see both the world champions and Ireland into the knockout phase ahead of their Brighton showdown next weekend -- with the Irish looking to back-up their shock defeat of the Black Ferns at last year's WXV tournament.

Ireland, who did not qualify for the last World Cup in New Zealand three years ago, ran in seven tries, with No 8 Grace Moore and wing Anna McGann scoring two apiece.

But they also conceded five to a resilient Spain at Northampton's Franklin's Gardens, with wing Claudia Perez, hooker Marieta Roman, centre Claudia Pena-Hidalgo, captain Lourdes Alameda and replacement forward Cristina Blanco, off a neat line-out move, all crossing Ireland's try-line.

"We knew Spain would come out firing and they pushed us right to the end,"Ireland prop Ellena Perry, the player of the match, told the BBC.

She added: "We can't fault two bonus-point wins but we will still have plenty of work to do in training this week."

Ireland, following their opening 42-14 win over Japan, eventually proved too strong for Spain, once a leading country in European women's rugby union but effectively frozen out of the Women's Six Nations because they have never vbeen involved in the corresponding men's competition.

"The seven tries aren't to be sniffed at, there's some good tries, good variety," said Ireland coach Scott Bemand.

"You look at how we came out of the blocks against a spirited Spanish team -- in defence and attack -- and we thought we were getting on top. Then we became our own worst enemies a little bit."

Spain coach Juan Gonzalez praised his side's determination, saying: "I feel proud that the girls kept fighting to the last minute of the game."

Spain, who started the tournament with a thumping 54-8 loss to New Zealand, will now look to finish their pool campaign with a win over Japan.

"It is really important," said Gonzalez. "We came here to show the world how we play rugby and to make a big impact with Spanish girls at home. If we can do this with a victory against Japan that will be absolutely great."

Sunday's other World Cup matches are taking place in Pool D, where wins for South Africa and France over Italy and Brazil respectively would see both the Springboks and Les Bleus into the last eight.