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BBC News
29-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Injury setbacks will 'stand to me in the future'
Women's Six Nations, Italy v IrelandDate: Sunday 30 March Venue: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma Kick-off: 15:00 BSTCoverage: Live on BBC Two NI, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website from 14:45 Having to overcome two anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] injuries in the space of nine months would be enough to break the spirit of many in the case of Ireland scrum-half Aoibheann Reilly she is determined to use her experience of those setbacks to help her navigate her future rugby career and give her further initially battling her way back from her first serious knee injury in the autumn of 2023, the 24-year-old suffered a second ACL tear in last summer's SVNS Grand Final in injury dashed her hopes of playing for Ireland Sevens in the Paris Olympic Games and the Roscommon woman only returned to competitive action when she played a part in the Clovers' Celtic Challenge matches in early week Reilly was introduced off the bench as a replacement for Emily Lane to participate in the closing 25 minutes of Ireland's 27-15 defeat by France in their opening Six Nations encounter in week she has been named in the starting line-up for Sunday's away encounter with Italy in Parma."I did my right ACL the first time and my left the second time. I had nine months of playing in between both. It was mentally very tough but I knew hopefully once I got it right that would be the end of me in terms of long-term injuries," explained Reilly."Coming back from the first one, I wanted to go to the Olympics and I also wanted that nine jersey for Ireland in the 15s game. I was really focused on putting my hand up for both teams."It was very tough but I had so many team-mates around me to support me and my family were amazing. Although it was a really tough moment, it really builds me as a player and builds my resilience. "It was an experience that I wouldn't wish on anyone but I think it will really stand to me in the future." 'A very emotional moment' Reilly added that turning out for Ireland against France last weekend after all her injury problems was a special moment."It was a very emotional moment standing there for the anthem. "When I tore my ACL before the Olympics for a second time I was just focusing on getting back for that France game and I knew everything had to go right on my rehab journey to get back on the pitch. "That was a big moment for me and my family wearing the green again."Having gone down to the French in their opener, Reilly believes Ireland can get their first win of this year's tournament on the board when they face Italy in Parma on Sunday."After last weekend we weren't happy with the performance we put out. At times we had phases that were really good but then we also weren't clinical enough."This weekend that's a big focus for us. Going after the win that we know we're capable of."We know we have skilful players but at times we force things. In pressure moments, we just need to hold on to the ball and that's where we really need to execute. "These away games we really need to go after. It's so important going into the World Cup in England being able to go away from home and get a win. "
BBC News
28-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
McMahon returns to captain Ireland against Italy
Women's Six Nations, Italy v IrelandDate: Sunday 30 March Venue: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma Kick-off: 15:00 BSTCoverage: Live on BBC Two NI, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website from 14:45 Edel McMahon will lead Ireland out in Sunday's Six Nations game against Italy as coach Scott Bemand makes three changes for the Parma started on the bench in last weekend's 27-15 defeat by France in the opener but is named at blindside flanker in place of Brittany Reilly comes in at scrum-half for Emily Lane and Fiona Tuite takes over from Dorothy Wall in the second says his side are "in good health" ahead of the match at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchiir. Ireland came close to causing an upset in Belfast but in the end lost to France, who won despite a 20th-minute red card for Gabrielle started their campaign with a 38-5 away defeat by England last Flood; McGann, Dalton, Higgins, Costigan (capt); O'Brien, Reilly; O'Dowd, Jones, Djougang, Campbell, Tuite, McMahon, King, Moloney, McCarthy, Haney, Moore, Wall, Hogan, Lane, Breen.
BBC News
20-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Sheehan to captain much-changed Ireland against Wales
Guinness Men's Six Nations: Wales v IrelandDate: Saturday, 22 February Kick-off: 14:15 GMT Venue: Principality Stadium, CardiffCoverage: Watch on BBC One; listen on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Ulster & BBC Radio Wales; live text and highlights on BBC Sport website and app Dan Sheehan will captain Ireland against Wales in Saturday's Six Nations game in Cardiff. The hooker will lead the team for the first time with regular skipper Caelan Doris ruled out because of a knee injury. Sheehan, 26, came off the bench in Ireland's wins over England and Scotland but replaces the injured Ronan Kelleher in a team showing seven changes from the win at Sheehan in the front row is Leinster prop Thomas Clarkson, who will make his first Test start after earning his debut in November, while Jack Boyle is set to make his debut off the bench. Jack Conan replaces Doris at number eight, while Joe McCarthy returns to the second row after recovering from the head injury that ruled him out of the first two the backline, Mack Hansen returns to the wing after missing the Scotland game while Garry Ringrose is named to start alongside Robbie Henshaw in midfield, with Bundee Aki dropping to the bench. Jamie Osborne will make his Six Nations debut at full-back, replacing Hugo Keenan, with Sam Prendergast retained at fly-half after impressing in his away debut against Scotland. Ireland squad to face Wales Starting XV: Osborne; Hansen, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe; S Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan (capt), Clarkson; McCarthy, Beirne; O'Mahony, Van der Flier, Conan. Replacements: McCarthy, Boyle, Bealham, Ryan, C Prendergast, Murray, Crowley, Aki. More to follow.
BBC News
08-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ireland ready for Murrayfield chaos all over again
Men's Six Nations: Scotland v IrelandDate: Sunday, 9 February Venue: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Kick-off: 15:00 GMTCoverage: Watch on BBC One & BBC iPlayer; live on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Ulster & BBC Sounds Drama has usually followed Ireland to Murrayfield in recent years. Seven years ago, it was the now-infamous 'busgate' episode, when Ireland's transport to take them to the stadium on gameday showed up late on, eating into the team's warm-up and enraging the notoriously meticulous Joe beat Ireland 27-22 that day thanks to a couple of late Greig Laidlaw penalties. The Irish never fully recovered from that opening-weekend defeat as England won the title. Two years later, the then Grand Slam holders' hopes of leaving Edinburgh with victory were again threatened when talismanic fly-half Johnny Sexton succumbed to injury just 24 minutes in, only for Schmidt's side to prevail 22-13. In 2021, at the end of another hectic afternoon, Ireland needed Sexton's nerveless late penalty to eke out a 27-24 Murrayfield mayhem followed in wins from a Grand Slam, Ireland lost both starting hooker Dan Sheehan and his replacement Ronan Kelleher to injury, leading to a hastily cobbled-together rejig in which prop Cian Healy scrummaged as a hooker and flanker Josh van der Flier threw the line-outs. Caelan Doris and Iain Henderson also went off hurt inside the opening 25 minutes, but as they often do, Ireland navigated the tumult and won 22-7. Earlier this week, scrum coach John Fogarty recalled his panic during the 2023 game and how head coach Andy Farrell surprisingly revelled in the Farrell is, for now, shielded from the stresses of organising a group of players for a Six Nations fixture, his interim successor Simon Easterby has been forced into a late reshuffle following Mack Hansen's withdrawal on the eve of the game, with Calvin Nash promoted to the line-up. Easterby will hope Hansen's troubles are not a portent for what lies ahead on Sunday with Ireland aiming to overcome a significant hurdle in their quest for a third successive title. England's thrilling victory over France on Saturday only heightens the stakes. With a bonus-point win at Murrayfield, Ireland will be in the driving seat heading into the down week. 'No room for complacency' As has been widely discussed this week, Ireland's recent record against the Scots is remarkable. They lead 21-4 in Six Nations meetings and have won the last 10, the latter run including a couple of World Cup wins and an Autumn Nations Cup success. In fact, not since that infamous 2017 game have Scotland - then managed by Vern Cotter - gotten one over on their Celtic cousins. Ireland, however, have been keen to distance themselves from chat about winning streaks and psychological edges all week. Plenty has been said in the past, but a pre-match war of words has certainly not been forthcoming this week. "I don't think there's any room for that [complacency], given the respect we have for them," Ireland skipper Doris said on Saturday. "You hear that outside noise about our record against them, but it hasn't been talked about in here and we've been preparing for a proper Test match."We've seen what they've been about over the last number of years, most recently last weekend. Especially at home there's that extra element." Doris is right to point out Scotland's recent form. After losing to Ireland in the final Six Nations game last year, they have won eight out of their past nine Tests and claimed Australia's scalp in November a week before Ireland edged past them. The potency of the Scottish backline - even without injured centre Sione Tuipulotu - has been a big point of focus, too."Their attack is very dangerous," added Doris, who made his Ireland debut against Scotland in 2020. "They attack with quite a bit of width and flair. Their counter-attack, with the wings and back three in general. "You're seeing some of the tries Duhan van der Merwe has scored, Darcy Graham as well is a massive threat and Blair Kinghorn, too. We'll have our hands full." In an attempt to withstand the Scots, Easterby has reinstalled firebrand flanker Peter O'Mahony to the starting line-up for the first time since last summer.O'Mahony has history in this fixture, and given it will be his first start since being replaced by Doris as captain, the Munster veteran will not be short of motivation. "He loves these games, obviously he loves the Six Nations, he loves representing the nation, and he always adds something different, something a little bit special," observed Doris. "He's got 110 caps, 111 tomorrow, so a wealth of experience there, and just a good fella to have around camp. Last week, he was great even though he wasn't involved."There is a bit of an added edge from him this week as well. He's always someone who I enjoy having alongside me in the back row."O'Mahony's return adds even more know-how to an Irish side packed with experience, the 23-man matchday squad totalling 1220 caps compared to Scotland's 864. Fly-half Sam Prendergast is the outlier. It will be the 21-year-old's first away game for Ireland and Scotland will undoubtedly set out to unsettle him. Ireland's experience told against England, especially during a dominant second half when Jack Conan and Dan Sheehan made huge impacts off the bench. Not short of Test experience either, Scotland are also hardened by previous pain at Irish hands. Townsend set up defensively in Dublin last year, but stirred by the home crowd, his side may go all-out to make it another frantic afternoon for will not be anything Ireland have not encountered in the Scottish capital before. Navigate the mayhem once more and they will be this weekend's big winners.
BBC News
08-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Easterby unsure about Ireland favourites tag
Men's Six Nations: Scotland v IrelandDate: Sunday, 9 February Venue: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Kick-off: 15:00 Watch on BBC One, iPlayer & BBC Sport website, listen on BBC Sounds Interim boss Simon Easterby says he is unsure about Ireland being labelled favourites for Sunday's Six Nations game against Scotland. Given Ireland's dominance in this fixture in recent years, winning the last 10 encounters, many have tipped the champions to leave Murrayfield with a win. But Easterby insists there is little between the sides and has called on his team to improve on last week's victory over England. "I don't think we go in there necessarily as favourites when they had such a good autumn and a good win last week at home against Italy, and we're playing away from home," said Easterby."It's finely balanced in terms of favourites, underdogs, I don't think there's that much in it at the moment. "We just know we have to be a lot better than we were last weekend in a lot of areas because of the threats they have and their ability to play attacking rugby, but also the way they can stop teams playing as well." Sexton helping Prendergast and Crowley Easterby has made just two changes for the Scotland game, bringing in Peter O'Mahony and Robbie Henshaw while retaining Sam Prendergast at fly-half ahead of Jack Crowley. The battle between the out-halves has attracted intense debate, but Easterby believes the attention is "part of their growth". "Jack had a bit more of that last year throughout the Six Nations and dealt with it really well."He's also had a period of not being selected every week so that's a different dynamic to what Sam's going through at the moment."But they would share experiences with each other. Jack's been through that and we're fortunate to have Johnny [Sexton] in camp as well to impart some of his experiences in that position over the years, his battles with ROG [Ronan O'Gara] and how that developed over time."Easterby added: "They're pretty comfortable in their own skin. They are down to earth, level-headed, extremely competitive and ambitious but understanding as well that there are ebbs and flows in life, in games and your selection. "They're just figuring out a the moment how to get through that and we're supporting them the best we can."
