FOLLOWING AN UNPRECEDENTED Grand Slam success was never going to be easy, but even though a defeat to England has ruled out a clean sweep for the Irish Women’s rugby side in 2014, they are still be in contention for Six Nations Championship honours.
They face France in Stade du Hameau less than 24 hours before a similar crunch test for their male counterparts this weekend.
As a result of their 11-try rout of Scotland last Sunday, confidence will be sky high in the French camp, and they remain the only team on course for Grand Slam glory this time around.
Since their first meeting back in 1993, Ireland have only registered two wins and one draw from 20 encounters with the French, although they did emerge victorious on a scoreline of 15-10 in last season’s corresponding fixture at Ashbourne.
Indeed, in the last eight games between the teams, the winning margin has never been greater than ten points, but there is no escaping the fact that France are the in-form side in this year’s competition.
While Ireland also crossed the whitewash on 11 occasions against the Scots in an opening day demolition at the end of January, France have been watertight in defence, only conceding six points in their four games of date.
All of these points were attributed to England on Day One, and if Ireland are to have any joy against a team that has recorded three consecutive shut-outs, they will need to display an abundance of defensive steel and match France pound-for-pound in the physical stakes.
This is familiar territory for Philip Doyle’s charges, though, and at vital stages in this year’s championship, a number of players have stepped up to the mark. While it has been a strong squad effort from 1-23, there have nevertheless been a number of stand-out performers to date for Ireland, and big displays will certainly be needed from the following if they are to spoil the expected French party:
Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster)
The Waterford native was kept in reserve for the opening bow against Scotland (Jackie Shiels was given the nod at full-back), but the UL Bohs star returned for a tricky assignment with Wales, and the reliable place-kicker contributed nine points in a 14-6 triumph. With 26 points to her name this term, Briggs will need to be on-song once more against the French.
Alison Miller (Portlaoise/UCC/Connacht)
29-year-old Miller grabbed the spotlight with a stunning hat-trick in the 25-0 victory over England last year, and her scoring return of 10 tries from 18 international appearances makes the Portlaoise winger a dangerous prospect for any would-be opponents. She has maintained her form in 2014, and her predatory instincts yielded a brace of tries in the opening day demolition of Scotland, as well as a five-pointer in last week’s historic clash at the Aviva.
Lynne Cantwell (Richmond/Exile)
Much like the man of the moment, Brian O’Driscoll, last Saturday was the last time that the record-breaking Cantwell will be seen on domestic ground by the loyal supporters of women’s rugby. Alongside dependable performers like Grace Davitt and Nora Stapleton, the 82-times capped Cantwell has been a superb anchor for the Irish rearguard, and her opening half try against the Azzurri set the tempo for another fine display.
Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster)
Being team captain can be a heavy burden for even the most experienced of campaigners, but Coghlan has been a model of professionalism since she stepped into the role. Her assured front-row play has provided Ireland with a strong platform during a potentially difficult campaign, and she will lead her country into battle on the occasion of her 80th international this Friday.
Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Following her transfer from Mowden Park Sharks to Old Belvedere, Sophie Spence now forms a dynamic second-row partnership with Marie-Louise Reilly at club, interprovincial and international levels. Since making her debut during the 2012 Six Nations, Spence has proven to be an adept finisher inside the opposition ‘22’, and her magnificent hat-trick against the Scots brought her overall points tally in an Irish shirt up to 25.
Glad to see both managers talking sense. I know Antrim got to the final of the U21 few years back but in general ulster teams got a hiding in all ireland semi finals.
Saturday’s mismatch was no Benifit to anyone. Ok as the Derry manager said his players want to play in Thurles etc. They can’t have enjoyed the Thurles experience on Saturday.
Try an open draw as Eddie said, and a proper B grade competition with ulster trans included with the final on the same day as the A final.
@Diarmuid: there already is a b competition and the final is played before the a final
@Noel Kelly: i realise that Noel but as the Derry manager said the B grade should be restructed to include the ulster champions as well. They are out of there depth at the A level
@Diarmuid: and too good for the B Championship.
Completely agree with Eddie Brendan. This year’s semi finals illustrated the serious issues facing hurling. The Kilkenny Derry game is self explanatory. No way should both teams be on the same pitch. It hinders rather than helps both counties. On the other side we had probably the best u21 team in the country playing their first championship match against a battle hardned side. Very unfair on Galway. Tom Fahey
All about bloody funding,the love for hurling in Derry(parts of)is there,was involved in schools in the 80s,all funded , introduced hurling,football camphor,to kids who wouldn’t have even seen it before,funding ran out(cross border funding) after 2 years,so a lot of kids who weren’t in Gaa clubs finished being interested in our national games,we were full time in primary/secondary schools,do when the scheme finished,most of our work came to nothing,(all coaches were badged)feel something like this initiative needs to happen in Ulster
@billy Dorney: excuse the misspelling,camogie,i meant
@billy Dorney: There is a lot more to it than that, there are many counties and county boards throughout Ireland that refuse to promote hurling as it should as it eat up all resources that Gaelic Football uses, it is so pathetic that there are many counties that do not even put forward a B U21 team, the big ball is king.
@ktsiwot: agree
@ktsiwot: yes,and it’s not going to change anytime soon,so hurling loses
why is the solution always to throw them into Leinster? Wexford Dublin and even westmeath would have hammered that Derry team. why just devalue Leinster and leave precious Munster alone? if ya want to get rid of the provinces, then they all have to go and open up to a group
@Ger O’Meara: devalue leinster by adding Galway u must be joking look how much they have added to the senior hurling.
Galway should go into Leinster and then winners of Leinster and Munster go straight to the final. Big mistake to let go of the Munster Championship if it happens.
All this absolute shite talk about the “Munster championship” what’s so sacred about it. Limerick and Clare have won loads of Munster U21 in last decade and are currently way off the pace required at senior level..There will always be an asterix beside the 2013 AIF. The Munster SHC has been quite poor for years, take out Tipp and the rest are average enough, except for a few bubble performances here and there.. They dont like to hear that in Munster, but thats a fact..It’s not all that!
@Lord Clanricarde: I don’t get this asterix thing about 2013. Why is there an asterix about it. Clare beat everyone put before them and won the all Ireland. End of story. It’s not like Kilkenny, Tipp and Galway didn’t enter the championship that. Same teams started out as every year so I think people need to give Clare the respect they deserve and stop downgrading their all Ireland. If Kilkenny had won in 2013 instead of Clare there’d be no talk of asterix’s. Cork won 2010 football all Ireland beating down. Tipp beat Antrim in an all Ireland in 89 I think. Why no asterix’s against them???
@Lord “up me own hole from Galway”Please stop blowing your own pipa you clown.
@John Carroll: Nice to see neither if ye argued with me on the fact that Munster hurling is not all it’s cracked up to be.. It’s a competition full of sentimentality and old farts scared of change in case it effects the “magical” Munster championship!..Nevermind that Tipp win it whenever they decide to get the lead out!!
Galway should go into Leinster and the winners of Leinster and Munster then play in All Ireland Final. Big mistake if we lost the Munster Championship