It’s match number three for the Irish Women’s rugby team in this year’s Six Nations, but it’s certainly going to be one tough test as they line out against England this evening.
World Champions England will be hoping to secure a win tonight, while Ireland are coming into the game off the back of a 10-5 loss to France at home two weeks ago.
We caught up with captain Niamh Briggs to see how things are in the Irish camp ahead of tonight’s clash.
“The nature of the result against France was very disappointing,” she said. “When we were winning there was a great boost behind us but France held firm and put the pressure back on us and unfortunately, it didn’t go our way.”
“It was a fantastic effort by all the girls on the night and although things didn’t go our way, we’ve put that behind us now and are focusing firmly on the England game.
“We learned a lot from the French game, we’ve some young girls in the squad and we’re still trying to gel together,” she continued. “We’re not fully there yet but we’re getting there and it’s exciting to see it all coming together.
“England are the World Champions and we’re aware that it will be a tough game and that they will have done their homework on us. We’re going to go out there and put what happened against France behind us and play together and support each other.
“We are feeling good ahead of the game tonight we want to go out and right the wrongs from last week and hopefully do it against the World Champions – as it doesn’t come any better than that – and we are very excited about it!”
Reflecting back on the French game, which hit the headlines due to the fact that the floodlights went during the match, Niamh was quick to stand up for the grounds in Ashbourne.
“No, the media furore around it didn’t affect us at all. I don’t think we’ve even spoken about it. It was great to have so many people down at the game and it was a pity it worked out the way it did.”
“We got our fixtures at the start of the year and saw it was Ashbourne, and we were delighted. That’s what we call our home ground and they’ve always been fantastic to us. The playing surface there is the best I’ve ever played on.
“It’s comforting for us to play there, it’s our home ground and although a lot of people called for our games to be moved, hopefully if we move ground it won’t be because of what happened that night but rather that the women’s game is being better supported and we will be moving to accommodate the increase in supporters.
“The game is coming on more and more every year. The competition is getting tougher every year all the teams are more evenly matched and it’s fantastic to see,” she continued. “It’s getting harder to call each game which is fantastic.
“Looking ahead to Wales and Scotland we really hope that going into those games we will still be in the running for the championship and so they’ll be big games for us. But at the moment, our focus is on England tonight and we aren’t looking past that!”
Looking back over the last number of years, there is one stand out moment for Niamh.
“The Grand Slam has to be the highlight for me,” she admitted. “As a sports team you measure yourself on how many medals you have or cups you’ve won and that medal is something I cherish and I am so proud of.”
Niamh was also appointed captain of the squad this year and added that she is looking forward to leading the team out at home once more this evening.
“It’s an incredibly proud moment for me to be able to captain my country and lead the girls out onto the pitch,” she agreed. “But there’s leaders across the pitch, there’s girls who will stand up and be counted everywhere which is fantastic.”
She herself has certainly become an inspiration to many, and recently paid a visit to her old primary school as part of a new ‘kit for schools’ campaign being run by Persil.
“It was amazing to get to go back to my old school. It was brilliant to go back there and be able to show them how far we’ve come. I’m proud to be associated with Persil as trying to get as many kids playing sport is something I’m very passionate with.
“I would encourage any young girl to stick with sport as not only does it give you many life skills it also is a place where you can make the best of friends! I’m lucky to have made amazing friends along the way!”
Tonight’s round 3 match will be streamed live here with commentary from Adrian O’Farrell and former Irish captain Fiona Coghlan.
Match tickets are priced at €10 for adults and €5 for OAPs, students and children. Supporters can also pay at the gate.
Niamh Briggs is an ambassador for the Persil ‘Kit for Schools’ campaign. Persil are giving over 1,000 sports kits to primary schools all over Ireland. For more, go to www.persil.ie
