THERE IS A very real joy in watching Beibhinn Parsons play rugby.
The Ballinasloe woman is a pure rugby player and a pure athlete. Parsons’ smooth running style helped her towards three tries in the 2020 Six Nations as she continued her rise in Test rugby.
But the 19-year-old is not just about outright speed. She has diligently-honed instincts for how best to employ it, where the space is, and how to be in the right place at the right time. Defensively, Parsons has worked hard to gain an appreciation of space too, with her timing now often allowing her to make impactful tackles.
All of these things helped the Ireland wing to enjoy an excellent 2019/20 season, one that saw her named the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Women’s Player of The Year last night.
Of course, she has had to learn fast in international rugby and still only has eight caps for Ireland, but Parsons looks very much at home already. Even as she continues to pick up the know-how at the highest level, the Connacht flyer has been reminded simply to be herself.
“My dad gave me a good piece of advice when I left at Christmas,” explains Parsons. “He said, ‘Just play like a kid.’
“I think I sort of lost that to a point when I was trying to be too serious or play a different game, be a different player, a playmaker, which I’m not. I’m a finisher. I’m excited to play and I enjoy it.
“So to make sure I express myself on the pitch is something that I’m definitely working on, I don’t want to be boxed into anything. Play like a kid.”
Not that Parsons will rest on her laurels.
There are lots of ways in which she can become an even more dangerous player, including through her attacking kicking game – such a key facet of rugby these days.
“I’ve been working on adding more of a kicking game, so I’m working on grubbers and chipping and that type of stuff. The girls in camp are excellent,” says Parsons.
“Ellen Murphy is an expert on kicking so I’m always picking her brains, and the same with Kathryn Dane, just learning off the girls and trying to add more tools to my toolbox really.”
It has been a whirlwind last year for Parsons with a postponed Six Nations, a rejigged Leaving Cert, the belated resumption of the Six Nations, the France game being cancelled, the start of her life as a student at UCD – albeit remotely – and the recently postponed Six Nations.
Parsons looks back on it with “a lot of fondness” and gratitude for the support she got from family, friends, and team-mates. The rugby calendar in 2021 remains uncertain but the hope is that it includes the rescheduled Six Nations, a World Cup qualifying competition, and the World Cup itself in New Zealand.
“Since I joined the squad our focus has been to get to the World Cup. It’s the pinnacle of rugby, it’s what you train for, it’s what you do everything for,” says Parsons.
“I’m scheduling my life nearly to peak during those World Cup qualifiers to ensure that we all get qualified and that’s what everyone’s doing.
“We all have to rejig our schedules. In my case, I had to make sure I got my Leaving Cert done right the first time so I wouldn’t have to repeat and miss anything the second time around. It means everything. It’s always what we were working towards.”
That’s the ultimate goal for Parsons and Ireland, although it was nice to have her own good performances recognised with the RWI Women’s Player of the Year award.
“I was completely shocked and also delighted when I found out the news,” said Parsons.
“To follow on from my team-mates like Claire Molloy, Sene Naoupu, Ciara Griffin, they’re players of such high calibre so to be even considered for an award is beyond all my expectations. It means the world, like a dream come true.”
I thought the same thing at the time. Here’s our greatest rugby athlete being let down by the medical staff at the very end of his career (pre one more year). Why there wasnt a bigger outcry and inquiry at the time baffled me. Glad it’s now being centre staged. The medics have questions to answer
I agree completely , unfortunately people are selfish and just want him to continue playing as the man is so important to us. Somebody should have sat the man down and protected him. He has hopefully 40 plus years to live his life and he needs to remember that rugby ain’t everything.
the old saying rings true, ‘nobody shoots a winning race horse’
I imagine the medical staff are under severe pressure to get him back in. Strange decision – the irfu have a fantastic medical team as witnessed by the use of Dr. Falvey with the lions.
Have to admit- on most other things related to rugby I think the use of slow motion constant replays have made things that are quite innocuous look very serious. On this matter this guy is spot on, any brain injury needs the most time to recover- I love the game and selfishly I want him to come back on the field but the best thing for a concussed player is rarely considered in urgent situations. The More debate and awareness of this issue the better, we need to protect guys like these bravery from themselves.
I’m with you, Richard!
Nowinski is a top bloke. He’s done a lot of work to help reducw head trauma and concussions in pro wrestling and other contact sports
Well fair play to him getting involved in rugby.
I agree this guy stepped up after concussion put an end to his pro wrestling career… He had done an epic amount of work in regards to head trauma in sports…. Something that has to be taken more serious here….. As usual Ireland will not act until it takes a life…
I worry about BOD. He is so committed on the field and I hope he doesn’t end up with some long term injury at this stage of his career.
I remember the incident and was equelly amazed that BOD was allowed back on the field,he was very groggy and and unsteady on his feet,and i remember thinking that he must have bypassed the physio and had the final say,but for anyone watching,they just knew that it defied logic to see him back on with his head bandaged, but thats our Brian.
Agree 100 percent ..the hits in the game these days are scary, all players need to be protected and Bod is a national treasure ;)
In light of what we now know regarding knocks to the head and the potential risk of concussion, i think it is incumbent on sports managers to be fully versed on the danger associated with such incidents. Questions have to be asked as to the role of the medical team (or doctor) regarding a player who has suffered a concussion,or a severe head injury being allowed back onto the field of play in such a state.
In such scenario as outlined above, it is much better to err on the side of caution in order to avoid the potential for brain damage to occur and the long term implications that such injuries entail
There has been far too much talk and no action on the concussion issue. Why are the IRFU refusing to comment. The recent Falvey interview was complacency at its worst. Surely there is enough evidence now to warrant some official reaction either by John Treacy becoming involved or The Department of Health arranging proper investigation.