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Ireland Women get Six Nations campaign up and running
By PA
Ireland Women kick-started their Six Nations campaign with a comfortable 29-8 victory over Italy in Cork.
Greg McWilliams’ side, who led 10-3 at half-time, scored four tries at Musgrave Park through Lucy Mulhall, Neve Jones, Eve Higgins and replacement Katie O’Dwyer and were awarded a second-half penalty try.
Hooker Melissa Bettoni went over for Italy’s late consolation try, but Ireland’s first win after defeats to Wales and France was never in doubt.
Beatrice Rigoni’s penalty gave Italy an early lead, but Ireland ran in an outstanding try in the 25th minute, with fly-half Nicole Cronin delivering the final pass out wide for full-back Mulhall to score.
Ireland went over for a deserved second try before the interval through hooker Jones and although both tries went unconverted, the Irish made a flying start to the second half.
Centre Higgins gathered scrum-half Kathryn Dane’s kick ahead to race over and Cronin converted to put the home side 17-3 ahead.
Ireland moved further ahead when awarded a penalty try in the 52nd minute as Italy were penalised at a five-metre scrum and after Bettoni went over for the visitors, O’Dwyer gathered from a line-out to score the game’s final try.
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Latest Comments
The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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