Cantwell focused on Scots clash

The centre is the only Irish player who was involved in a 79-0 hammering at the hands of England in 2001 in Worcester, so perhaps for her particularly, the reversal of fortunes and win over the English for the first time ever, was even more special.

Cantwell was making her debut in that game over a decade ago, having only taken rugby up about a  year before at the University of Limerick, and now with 73 caps she can take real pride in Ireland’s progress.

Last week, in the aftermath of the 25-0 win, Cantwell sought out former team-mates Patrique Kelly and Sarah-Jane Belton, two former key players for Ireland, who were at the game to see Ireland make history.

“I feel lucky to be part of this squad,” Cantwell said.

“And I felt lucky at the end of the match to be standing out there. Paddy (Patrique) and Sarah-Jane were huge parts of the development of Ireland as a team so it was brilliant to share it with them. I have been reflecting a lot on that game in 2002 and how far we have come. Back then we couldn’t cope with England at all - players like Chris Diver were just running over us – and it’s taken us a long time to come even close to matching how good they are. Hopefully the girls that come into the squad now never have to go through games like that and we can move up and up.”

A Triple Crown this weekend would give Cantwell and other long serving Irish players like Fiona Coghlan and Joy Neville something tangible for the first time ever, but Cantwell says nobody’s getting carried away.

“We played Scotland on this pitch a few years ago and lost so we aren’t underestimating this game at all. I have so much respect for Scotland and I think they have some very underrated individual talent that is eventually going to gel together for them. They are a very physical side and they will be going for it up front. A side like that with nothing to lose at home is not one we’d ever take lightly.”

“We have beaten England and that’s great, that’s something to tick off the list, but we have a lot to prove to ourselves yet. We honestly have talked about nothing this week but Scotland. It would be a bit of a waste if we didn’t back it up now and we’ve been looking at our game against Wales in particular which was one that we weren’t happy with despite the result. We were very sloppy there and we need to make sure we don’t revert to that.”

Ireland go into Saturday’s game as favourites – a tag that doesn’t sit lightly Cantwell adds.

“It’s a very Irish thing that you don’t really enjoy being favourites – you’d much rather be underdogs.  I know in the future there will be a time when this side will go into game favourites, be used to it and enjoy it because this side has a lot of potential. We have some special players who have come into the squad in the last few years . They have had the opportunity to come in and play in a side winning some big games so it’s a different experience for them than what we’d have had in the past and I love seeing those girls thriving, being confident and full of belief.”

Now based in London, working centrally as a physiotherapist, Cantwell joins a number of other players who are playing in the English Premiership (Cantwell with Richmond) and travelling back and forth to Dublin for training.

Having featured at Ireland across various positions over the years, in the centre, on the wing and at fly-half, she admits she is much happier back in mid-field.

“I am definitely happier back in the centre. I went into fly-half when Helen Brosnan got injured and we needed an experienced player to fill in but it’s fair to say I didn’t love it! I don’t have huge club experience there and while I think I helped to do a job, I am very pleased to be a little bit further out in the middle now.”

Cantwell is also likely, after the 6 Nations, to be part of the Irish squad who head to Hong Kong and China for Sevens tournaments warming up for the World Cup this summer, having played a big role in qualification last year.

Ireland are jetting out to Asia just days after the final 6 Nations game.

“There is some Sevens training going on now but that’s obviously logistically quite difficult at the moment and I am not really thinking about it just yet. We aren’t able to have separate squads but I am sure once the 6 Nations is over we’ll have a big focus on it leading into the World Cup.”And what does the future hold for the 31-year old in terms of her rugby career?

“At this stage I am almost going game by game and not thinking too much about the future. I don’t want to leave rugby not loving it so if that starts to change then that’s my time to go.  I am enjoying it right now.”