This Sunday, Ireland take on Italy at 5pm in the Six Nations. Both teams are yet to register a win thus far in the tournament. All eyes turn to Musgrave Park with a win for both sides crucial in changing their fortunes. This is the first ever Women's Test match staged at the Cork venue.
Speaking on the Her Sport Six Nations Show brought to you in association with Opel, former Irish captain and flanker, Claire Molloy and current Irish Assistant Coach Niamh Briggs discussed the potential for Ireland to implement more of a kicking game as a result of Italy’s lack of exit strategy.
Posing the question to Niamh Briggs, Molloy said, “Do you think, watching England and how they managed the Italians, will you be looking to implement more of a kicking game, given the Italian’s lack of exit strategy?”
Briggs confirmed it will be a tactic Ireland will seek to employ this weekend. ‘’Italy are brilliant with ball in the hand but they just don’t like to kick the ball very often so we gotta make sure that we put them under pressure’’.
“We will need to make sure that we’re defensively sound. We have to be connected across the park.”
🍀 Your @IrishRugby team to take on Italy on Sunday #IREvITA #TikTokW6N pic.twitter.com/e3jDx8qcfe
— TikTok Women's Six Nations (@Womens6Nations) April 8, 2022
Head Coach Greg McWilliams has made six changes to his Ireland Match Day Squad. There are four changes to the starting lineup with Beibhinn Parsons, Kathryn Dane, Christy Haney and Hannah O'Connor all promoted to starting positions. 19-year-old back row Aoife Wafer is in line for her Ireland debut off the bench.
A product of Enniscorthy RFC, Wafer is named among the replacements having impressed as captain of Leinster U18s last season and during the Energia All-Ireland League campaign with Blackrock College. The teenager also travelled to Dubai with the Ireland Women's Development Sevens squad last December, catching the eye of McWilliams during that trip.
Commenting ahead of the game, McWilliams said: "We have challenged the players to take their opportunities and we're trying to increase competition across the board, which is a really healthy thing to have within your squad. The players coming into the team this week have worked hard and earned their chance, so we're looking forward to seeing how they react and perform."
Very good look ahead to this weekend's crucial game between Ireland and Italy. https://t.co/E4ImFmXe32
— Scrumqueens - Women’s Rugby (@ScrumQueens) April 8, 2022
The Her Sport Six Nations Show is brought to you by Opel. Follow all the 2022 Six Nations action throughout the Championships with expert analysis, previews, interviews and a lot of laughs! Opel are the exclusive car partner of the IRFU.
