I will always remember what it is like to walk into any dressing room after a loss.
I’ve experienced it many times throughout my career. But looking at last weekends score of 38-17 against an experienced French side, the Irish team can hold their heads high after a truly positive performance.
I know myself from being inside camp over the years that no matter how much you hope, wins against France don’t come overnight. But with last weeks display I don’t think we are far off it.
There were so many positives arising from that game. As a whole we never let France cut us open with their fiery offload game. Our defence was strong enough to put pressure on them which in turn allowed us to control the game and how we wanted to play it.
The strength of both our 10s, Fowley and O’Brien, really showed in attack as well. We played an integral kick game that gained us some really important territory. But most importantly we put France under pressure by playing them at their own game. France over the years have kicked more than any other team in the competition so the fact both Nicole and Dannah took the opportunities to put boot to ball and pin the French back was an integral part of our game.
In general, the French game was a great marker for where we stand in this competition especially as we look towards Italy this weekend.
Italy are always tough
Italy are a different kettle of fish than France. Especially now that they are missing centre Michela Sillari and 8 Giulia Cavina through injury.
The last 5 years Italy have had a fairly set in stone back line. But losses as big as Sillari in the centre pairing and captain Sofia Stefan not looking back to herself, the confidence in this side might faulter ever so slightly. Especially as they travel to Dublin where Ireland will take them on with a point to prove post France improvement.
At this stage Ireland are going into this game thinking they can win it and are at even more of an advantage with the home crowds support.
The girls will also have the added boost of co-captain Sam Monaghan’s return. Leaving Bemand and co were left with some tough decisions to make after a fantastic performance from our pack last week.
But Italy are not ones to write off just yet. We’ve always ended up having a tough game against them any time we take them on. This is because they play a really similar game style to ourselves. Much like what we did with the French, Italy won’t be afraid to use their kick game against us and try pin us back to our 22. They also have some really good ball carriers and are brutal at scrum time.
Another player to be cautious of is centre Beatrice Rigoni. The control she has of the team from that inside centre position is second to none but I do think Aoife Dalton will give her a run for her money his weekend.
In terms of Irish attack, this weekend we really to utilise the speed we have in the back line. We’ve seen time and time again how explosive and fast Beibhinn Parsons and Eve Higgins are. I think if we can get the ball out to our back three more this weekend it will seriously aide our attack. If we can create that overlap and get the ball to space it will take the pressure off and gain us that all important territory. Because of this then the defenders won’t be able to shoot up on any of them because once Parsons, Higgins, Delany or Corrigan get ball in hand they are so dangerous.
Going into this tournament most of the players would set their expectations on winning those three home games and that thought is no different after that loss in Le Mans.
This is a real opportunity to put our mark back on the competition and continue the positive trajectory into the other home against Wales and Scotland.
If I was to call it this weekend, I think it will be a really close game but hopefully our girls will come out on top. But overall win, lose or draw it is going to be a cracker of a game to watch so be sure to tune in on RTE this Sunday at 3pm or if you can head to the RDS and cheer the girls then get your tickets here.
