Today signals what I hope is a rebirth for Irish women’s rugby. It’s an odd position for me to be outside of a bubble I’ve thrived in for so long, but my heart still bleeds green. I only want the best for this team.
or those of us who have recently retired, it’s a difficult time balancing curiosity about how the new lineup is doing without wanting to overshoot the mark. But when you talk to players ahead of the Six Nations, it’s clear things are different under the leadership of Greg McWilliams – different in the good way.
Since taking charge, he has done much to foster team bonding and help players regain their confidence and while it may seem like a small thing to many, the way he announced Nichola Fryday’s captaincy this week spoke volumes. Ensuring her family was there sent a strong message to the squad: that he values them as players, values where they come from. If you’re looking for buy-in on a long-term project, that human touch counts a lot.
I don’t know McWilliams personally – his previous work with the Ireland women’s team dates back to my arrival in 2015 – but he has a wealth of experience from his days with Ireland, Yale and the USA Eagles and he’s been out there and has kept an eye on club matches in recent months. It also sends a strong message to amateur players: that their work is recognized, recognized and valued.
Looking at the Six Nations squad, it’s clear that this is a fresh start. If we count the seven of us who either retired or weren’t selected, they’ve lost about 250 caps in experience compared to last year and less than 300 caps remain in the squad.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing, although it could result in some regression before we see progress. There are only 126 caps among forwards, with Fryday being the only player over 20, and 164 in defence, while Eimear Considine is the only one over 20. The beauty of this inexperience? There is no expectation. You start at the bottom of the mountain and the only way is up.
McWilliams has done a lot of culture work since arriving, which is important because happier players play better and are now licensed to express themselves. That’s not to say results don’t matter, and he’s aiming for three home wins against Wales, Scotland and Italy – teams below us in the world rankings. However, it is worth remembering that they are all preparing for the World Cup and are at a completely different stage in their life cycle.
Wanting to play an exciting style of rugby, McWilliams focuses on simplicity: keeping the ball moving. This style will take time to develop. You have to make mistakes in training and there will be mistakes on the pitch against Wales today. That’s okay. Stick to the process. Believe.
When you play that heads-up style, sometimes it’s a dry day and it comes out, but other days you need a plan B. We’re not the greatest, so we have to use the athleticism of the players. If our mobile, ball-playing forwards can create that platform for a very talented and lightning-fast defence, Irish eyes could smile with tries galore.
Wales have 12 full-time players under contract and we know they will be fit and in lively spirits to prove a point. It’s hard to say what style they’ll choose, but if we can move what has historically been a great Welsh team through the park, soften shoulders and hit the payline it will be a great start.
This Irish team is entering the unknown, but they must remember that there are no expectations. The mess of 2021 means McWilliams has a blank canvas to place his brand on, the key being developing that clear identity and not deviating from it.
Mistakes are made in every area of life, but it is how we right the wrongs that defines us. That resulted in World Cup qualification and we now have these recommendations. It’s up to IRFU to make them happen, and hopefully Greg and the high-performing director will work together to help these players reach their full potential.
There is a lot of new talent to look forward to and I look forward to it, Amanda McQuade, Katie O’Dwyer, Neve Jones, Sam Monaghan, Nicole Cronin, Maeve Óg O’Leary, Stacey Flood, Kathryn Dane and Aoibheann Reilly to follow these coming weeks.
This project will take some time and it could be next year’s Six Nations before we can see its success, but the big plus is that we are now starting our rebirth after the World Cup. Other teams, if they need one, will do it in October, November, December. This gives us a chance to get a head start on the new global calendar in 2023.
I just hope these players feel the excitement of this opportunity – to go out and play knowing they are part of a project that will take them back to a World Cup.
At this stage we’ve had enough heartache, enough drama. I just hope the sun shines on them on the RDS today. It would be a nice way to usher in a new era for Irish women’s rugby.
https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/international-rugby/were-starting-at-the-foot-of-the-mountain-the-only-way-is-up-41489248.html We start at the bottom of the mountain, the only way is up
