Linda Djougang: Gunning for quarter-final bigger than personal milestone

Ireland prop Linda Djougang insists victory is her prime thought as she prepares to win her 50th cap in Sunday’s World Cup clash against Spain.

The tighthead will reach the “extra special” milestone when the Irish begin their second match of the tournament at Franklin’s Gardens but the result is more important to her.

After beating Japan in their Pool C opener last week, the quarter-finals are now within touching distance.

Djougang told Irish Rugby TV: “I think it’s definitely going to be special. It’s a dream, to be honest. It’s so hard to describe something that you never really thought you’d ever breach.

“For me, the first thing that comes to mind is definitely on Sunday is just have a win, play well, enjoy the moment – what is even extra special is to have your 50th cap.

“It’s so important to always perform, because it’s performance that brought me here. So that’s the first job, to just keep doing what I’m doing, but you also enjoy every minute of it.”

Ireland will hope their place in the last eight is certain before they take on defending champions New Zealand in their final pool game the following Sunday.

Coach Scott Bemand named a team featuring seven changes earlier in the week, with wing Anna McGann among those to come in.

McGann said: “We know that if we put our best game out there, we can do really well, and that will ultimately secure a quarter-final, but I think the main focus is actually on Spain and the game itself.”