Ireland Women Vs Wales Women Review

So a new chapter for Irish women’s rugby began last weekend when they faced Wales in their new home in Donnybrook which has replaced Ashbourne as the new home for the Women’s internationals , It is also home to Nigel Carolan’s under 20 team. It is an all-weather surface that helps teams trying to play a wider game.

Ireland were beaten by Wales in a warm up match over in Wales at the end of January which saw Wales triumph 15-5. This game was a different story with Ireland playing in front of a vocal home crowd.  Ireland of course have gone into this Championship without a number of Six Nations winners from last season’s winning squad.

Jenny Murphy and Alison Miller are part of Anthony Eddy’s 7s squad hoping to make the Olympics in Rio. A number of new players have taken the places of those players with Sene Naoupu  , Ciara Griffin and Claire Cooney to name just three players that Tom Tierney has brought into the squad to freshen it up for a fresh assault on the 6 Nations title.

Looking at the game last Saturday, Ireland had loads of possession but failed to take full advantage of the amount of the possession they had throughout the game. Both the scrum and line out didn’t fully function and this particular trouble kept Wales in the game and it led to some hairy moments. The Irish defence stood up to the Welsh attack that did look to punish a few turn over chances that presented themselves.

Ireland struggled to get quick ruck ball and this resulted in most of their attacks faltering. Captain Niamh Briggs did bring this to the attention of the match referee but her remonstrations fell on deaf ears. On the occasions that the ball did make it beyond out half Niki Caughey it failed to make it to wingers Elise O Byrne White or Maria Coyne to make the most of the attacking positions that they so often found themselves in.

With an eye to France next Saturday evening in the Stade Aime Giral , Ireland will need to tighten up on the basics with both a strong line out and scrum needed to stand any chance of gaining a first ever win in France. Also Ireland will need to be far more clinical in attacking positions as they will not enjoy as much time on the ball in France.

Tom Tierney has given this team a real mental edge and they will hope to build on the 21-3 win over Wales as they go in search of a first win in France.

By

Cian Mc Gibney

10/02/2016