Womens' rugby Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

kita99

Watched yesterday's Wolfehounds vs Clovers match, i think that it was very interesting game. I found many growing-up players there. My most impressive player was Sadhbh McGrath, but several other yongsters shone too. And I was surprised the improvement of kicking abillity of Nikki Caughey. It's a little disappointing that I couldn't watch Chisom Ugwueru. I think she will become 7's star in next era.

Lost Ormond

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121549133#Comment_121549133

What do you mean by you found many growing up players?

kita99

In factI live abroad. So my chances to watch the matches of Irish rugby has been limited. In 2023, I watched (all women) 6N Ireland matches, U18 6N festa, interpro all matches, WXV at Dubai. So I cannot say great about for Irish women's rugby. But at last game, I felt that their playing- speed became to show considerably improvement. Other stand-out players for me (on my own) are below. Waldron, Sophie Barrett(former Ulster no8), Campbell ( I saw her first time), Oviawe, Wafer, Keelin Brady and Touhey etc.... In my eyes Wall looked putting the captaincy. And Deeley needs more kicking ability at OH, but I think that she fits at FB than OH. I doubt that this is correct responce for you.

kita99

Clover won (20 -5).over Welish team. 19 years old captain McGrath was superb who towed the scrum litterally. Other stand-out players were Kiripati (FL). Oviawe (LO), O'Dowd (LHP) etc・・.Yong FWs was very strong although Wall's absence. And kicking skill of Deeley made very remarkable progress. But it's yet premature. Please continue current effort. ' It looked that Cahil was given too short game time because maybe the captain was too strong. I want to see her a little longer.

kita99

At last Clovers won. they bothered by many strange judgements by the ref (Coffey =IRFU), but didn't give up. Last try was recorded by Ormond (off the bench =Munster). But it was excellent that all players got involved. Kate Flanery kicked nice conversion that decided win. She is only 19 years old. Other several players went to Italy at U20 tour last summer. This victory has built their confidence thierself with no dought. But they yet must learn many thing (especially weakness of the break down and soft and archlike passing that was under-hand pass looked at football games.)

kita99

Both Ireland teams continues to win at celtic challenge league. Kate Flanery standed out. She is sister of Jake(current Ulster) and only 19 years old. She played SH while Clovers starting SH was in sin bin. Then she showed some good sense at that position with fast pass speed etc. I think that (for Ireland women), she may become a new star at both position (SH and OH).

kita99

I am pleased looked at Roisin Maher in the game vs Edinburgh (even only 5min). It was only good thing.

Edinburogh delayed kick off time by 30nin and at starting time they made clovers wait about 5 min in the cold and strong wind. I think that it was unfair for the guest. They coudn't keep phisycal and mental condition. Is it natural way in Scotland?

Lost Ormond

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121722833#Comment_121722833

Thats a bit paranoid. Nowhere have i seen that this was a deliberate tactic other than from you here.

kita99

Paranoid. It may be so. Peopleare said (where I live currently) are too puctual. I'm sorry.

Lost Ormond

Wolfhounds beat clovers yesterday in ravenhill to win the celtic challenge trophy

kita99

It's an interesting match. I don't understand that how to select squads of each teams. Both teams includeed all province's members. But the results (espcially at the first half) was one sided. Wolfhound's Corrigan was excellent runner. Anyway There seems to be no needs to play more a match for Clover against Edinburogh. At least IRFU should to take rest caotain Wall for 6 nations.

Lost Ormond

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121818003#Comment_121818003

Probably felt better to have 2 irish teams instead of 2 teams of players only from 2 provinces. And that having the teams like that would be better for irish team in long term.

Lost Ormond

Under 18s play england in dublin this weekend to end the first of 3 camps prepping for 6 nations

kita99

Clovers 12-12 edinburgh. It's a pity. I don't understand that why HC used that THP player because she did no push at scrum, no tackle and no carry in the field. I don't bereive that she is a current member of Irish squads. But captain Wall was excellent and finished without any injury.That was only good thing.

Lost Ormond

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121847279#Comment_121847279

Its a development tournament and its to help look at players with potential for future as well as give others game time to prep for 6 nations.

Fotish

I'm dreading the France match, does anybody else feel the same way ?

kita99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121911652#Comment_121911652

I hope the loosing margin is within 20 points. If both Sadhbh McGrath and Enya Breen fit, I think that it's possible.

nigeldaniel

So off we go again. The first 15 minutes we'll tell us a lot.

mr_edge_to_you

The Ref and officials are struggling a bit with the ball being passed back concept

caviardreams

Good start here imo

sydthebeat

Ireland have been very good so far

mr_edge_to_you

Don't know too many of the players but the 12 is having a stormer.

sydthebeat

Fowley has been very good at ten

FrancieBrady

Getting bullied a bit and having to defend a lot is going to leave them susceptible in the last quarter but putting up a valiant fight

budhabob

A number of French forward passes being missed?!

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121930740#Comment_121930740

Agreed

Mr Disco

V poor Ireland team. Could they considering dropping out of 6 nations to a lower level tier to learn how to win again?

JustAPoorDreamer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121930865#Comment_121930865

That's harsh. If you think they are poor now you should have seen them last year they were just terrible. They are much better this year but this is like Italy against Ireland in the Men's Rugby. France are just in a different league at the moment but compared to last year the Irish girls have played much better.

nigeldaniel

Great 1st half and the team has improved massively from last year. The 2nd half is down to fatigue the changes have only been partly effective. The scrum and line out much improved.

FrancieBrady

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121930917#Comment_121930917

Agree. They really had to show they had improved and they did. Keep it going, they’ll get there.

gormdubhgorm

Just watched bits of it. But the general vibe is "looking for positives" and coded language to avoid calling Ireland sh!te. In fairness it will probably take decades to get to any decent level.

I was curious as to how many of the current women's rugby team have played Rugby from a very young age?

kazamo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121931061#Comment_121931061

It’s a huge improvement on last year.

The last time Ireland played at this standard was at the 6N last year, and that’s a big issue.

The big decision for the IRFU is whether the sevens players remain for the whole championship or have to leave again mid tournament like a couple of years ago. We don’t have enough decent players for both and fear that Higgins and Parsons will be shipped out for more sevens matches.

FrancieBrady

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121931061#Comment_121931061

 In fairness it will probably take decades to get to any decent level.

In fairness that is no good to those playing now. They have to do the groundwork for the future and they progressed today. Calling them shite is unfair.

tayto lover

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121930724#Comment_121930724

Far too one-sided to actually enjoy.

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121931186#Comment_121931186

The first 30 minutes, after which I posted, were very good for Ireland.

Managers try was dispiriting, as there were a few dodgy calls in the lead up.

Let's not forget we lost this fixture by 50 points last year, at home.

It was a definite improvement by Ireland.

We will be targeting 1 win in the competition, and if we succeed with that, and aren't walloped in the other games, it will be a great step up and improvement on where we were.

Those thinking we can be competitive in this competition haven't a clue about women's rugby

Jump_In_Jack

I thought the team played well today, the players seem young, it might take a while to adjust to the speed of it, and we badly need to work on better clearance kicks and securing our own lineout, I think we lost 3 of our throws in a row at one point.

There was one very promising attack that was reminiscent of the men’s attacking structure, they used a few decoys and passed behind and gained good ground. Think we’ll need to develop that more to battle against these enormous packs.

thamus doku

Ireland did very well considering. The Irish team are poorly resourced, For example the Irish starting ten and the replacement did not even look in good enough physical shape.

Ireland are amateurs and France are semi professionals with a large playing pool, the result today was very good considering.

kita99

Reilly was excellent. Good passer and fast runner. She can pick up ball rapidly. I hope her to learn box kicking.

Quin_Dub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121931061#Comment_121931061

Most would only have started in their mid-teens at best and some later.

A 22/23 year old Interpro level womens player probably has 4/5 years less Rugby played than a Male player of a similar age on average.

It's getting better , in that many more clubs have girls teams at U14/U16 now compared to ~5 years ago but it will take time for those players to filter through.

kita99

Isn't update of players? Are Monahan, McGrath, Breen available?

Fotish

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121930917#Comment_121930917

Fatigue ? I thought that Ireland's two tries were scored late on in the match,

kita99

Aoife Dalton is a good player at the XVⅢ or Celtic challenge, but she is too small at 6N level. In the match vs France, She made 2 decisive miss-tackles although good fitness, so I want to use Enya Breen (if she fit in spite of her after long absense) or Waldlon because Ireland needs crusshable centres. And my other worrying positions are 3 (small and not strong) and 14 (lack of experience against speedster of Italy). I really expect HC will resolve these problems.

sydthebeat

Ireland Team (v Italy, Sunday 31 March, RDS, kick off 3pm)

15. Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)
14. Katie Corrigan (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
13. Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)
12. Enya Breen (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)
11. Béibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)
10. Dannah O’Brien (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
9. Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)
1. Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
2. Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury)
3. Christy Haney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
4. Dorothy Wall (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)
5. Sam Monaghan (Gloucester-Hartpury) Captain
6. Grace Moore (Saracens/IQ Rugby)
7. Aoife Wafer (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
8. Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)

Replacements:
16. Sarah Delaney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
17. Niamh O’Dowd (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
18. Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke RFC/Ulster)
19. Fiona Tuite (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)
20. Eimear Corri (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
21. Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Leinster)
22. Nicole Fowley (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
23. Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)

more messing about at half back.

for gods sake pick one and stick with her !

sydthebeat

delighted to see eimear corri get back into the frame. Moving from center to second / back row is perfect for her in my opinion. very abrasive player

kita99

Delighted to see Enya Breen. Her physicality and kicking (both from hand and place) are very effective.

nigeldaniel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121948424#Comment_121948424

The forwards spent the first half endlessly tackling french attacks and that is energy zapping work.

mr_edge_to_you

Hey folks

Anyone know if the women's team stay in the city and travel out by bus? Heading in to Dublin for the game if there was an opportunity to wave them off like the men's team from the Shelbourne it'd be great to do so.

Fotish

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121956448#Comment_121956448

Is this a wind-up ?

mr_edge_to_you

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121956818#Comment_121956818

No it's not. Why would it be a wind up?

My daughter 11 yr old took up rugby last year and it's her first international. She's been at the interpros. Just trying to make it the day as memorable as possible.

Lost Ormond

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121956448#Comment_121956448

Women dont go to shelbourne afaik. Prob best ask irfu or any of players social media

Get to rds early enough and see if you can be there for when team bus arrives?