We're heading into the short period when women's rugby makes headlines in Europe as the 6 Nations Championship starts on Friday.
Ireland, who won the Championship in a glorious 2013 campaign, start against Italy. The other first round fixtures are France vs Scotland on Saturday and Wales vs England on Sunday. Full list of fixtures here if you can make any, catch them on television or online.
In general on this blog I try to be unbiased, but when it comes to the national teams it's hard not to barrack for the girls in green. Lots of changes this year for them - new coach Tom Tierney takes over from Philip Doyle, Niamh Briggs as captain in place of the retired Fiona Coghlan and many new faces on the benches.
Exciting times for all the teams really as managers look ahead to Rio2016. It's a different game there of course - rugby 7s, but in reality it will be mainly if not all players from these national squads.
I'm a little disappointed to see the Irish home games are back in Ashbourne, Co Meath and away from Dublin again. I love going to Ashbourne, there is always a great atmophere and lots of support from the local club which hosts the games, but it would be great to have better access to crowds.
However, that niggle aside I'm looking forward to a few weeks of high-class rugby. England dominated this tournament winning seven times, but with France taking it last year and Ireland the year before who knows what could happen for 2015?
No comments
Post a Comment