Ireland unfazed by fresh challenge

Ireland face something of a rebuilding season after a raft of retirements following the World Cup and alongside a handful of injuries, they go into the tournament with a new looking squad.

Tierney was appointed belatedly in December so has not had the build-up time he would surely have preferred and with expectations high in Ireland, wherewomen’s rugby enjoys a decent profile. the new coach is well aware of the standards expected.

“Obviously the last two years have been very successful and expecting success is a natural way of thinking after that. We’re conscious of the fact that expectations are high but we also know where we stand in relation to it - there’s a new team, there have been people retire, an influx of players with some new players new to rugby full-stop. So it’s about moulding a team together. In the short term we have to get results - but also there’s a long term plan in place in relation to the next World Cup. It’s my job to marry both of those together.”

Ireland have been tapping into a national strength in recent years with more and more players coming across from Gaelic sports where natural ball skills, kicking and pace offer a huge crossover attraction.

“The girls from a Gaelic football background obviously have great hand-eye coordination so that’s a great starting point - then it’s our job to get them up to scratch on the rugby side and add knowledge and skill level to all that natural ability.”

Tierney doesn't want to look past the Italy game this weekend but admits that the schedule this year is kind to his side.

“Traditionally yes to have France and England at home is an advantage, because they are the two stand-out teams. But looking at Italy and doing our research and analysis - they are making huge strides in how they want to play, a real fifteen woman game, and it’s going to be very difficult in Italy and we’re looking no further than that. But if we can be competitive and look after our own jobs, I think we’ll give a good account of ourselves.”

Tierney picks out new faces like Megan Williams and Katie Norris as two to watch and says more experienced faces like Jackie Shiels and Larissa Muldoon are also training very well.

For captainNiamh Briggs, the season offers huge hope.

“I think we’ve set high standards for ourselves and I don’t see why they should drop. Pressure is a good thing at times and it’s how we react to it. It’ll be difficult but it’s a good challenge.”

Briggs is nonplussed that Ireland have had so little time together since the World Cup.

“We’ve had the same time together as any other previous campaigns. It’s just that we would have known previous management very well - but it is what it is, we just have to really use the time we have best and prepare as well as we can.

“Ireland's a very small player pool so you’d know everyone from playing against them at club or provincial level.”

Ireland’s schedule included a warm up game last weekend against Wales and Briggs says it offered real benefits.

“It was really good for some of our new girls to get some international match experience and come across teams where you’re not going to have as much time and space and the physicality isn’t what you’re used to. So we did some really good things, played some real rugby - and then some things we need to work on this weekend. It bodes well for the future - we’re settling into playing patterns and structures and that’s what we’re really enjoying."

For Briggs the game in Ireland is making decent strides.

“It’s progressing all the time - we’ve set high standards for ourselves in the previous few seasons and garnered a lot of support from that which is great for us. I do think that the home games we have are going to be great for us - hopefully we’ll get a lot of support at Ashbourne and people will really get behind us. I love playing at Ashbourne, it’s been very good for us, it’s a real fortress, we feel at home there. With the changes that have come in around the squad - it’s good to have some kind of home and something we’re used to.”