Rugby
Tyrrell anticipates a battle for places
By Daire Walsh
HANNAH Tyrrell insists she will have to battle hard for a starting place with Ireland 15s as they gear up for a return to Six Nations action.
The Clondalkin native has been included in the Ireland squad for their delayed encounters with Italy and France – the Italians providing the opposition at Donnybrook Stadium on Saturday evening (kick-off 6.30pm).
Due largely to her Sevens commitments, Tyrrell has only started two for the 15s side since Adam Griggs took over as head coach in 2018.
And given the encouraging performances of her positional rivals in the spring, Tyrrell acknowledges breaking into the back-three will be a considerable challenge.
“We’ve been very fortunate. The last couple of years particularly, we’ve gotten pretty strong there and Eimear Considine has been playing pretty well at full-back. Beibhinn Parsons is one of the new young stars coming through. I played with Aoife Doyle in Sevens for the last number of years. There’s also Lauren Delany there, who is one of the Exiles.
“Laura Sheehan was also in the Sevens. It’s great to have competition all across the squad and it’s all about getting out training and putting your hand up. Hopefully Adam Griggs sees something in you and you manage to grab a jersey to get in the 23 for the games.”
Tyrrell has also been delighted by the return of long-time friend Claire Molloy to the fold. The Galway woman represented Ireland at the World Cup in 2010, 2014 and 2017, and has ended a sabbatical to help her country qualify for next year’s finals in New Zealand.
“Claire Molloy is a fantastic addition. She took time out last year to focus on her own personal life and her own studies. It’s great to have her back in the fold. I played with her in Sevens, I played with her in 15s for a number of years. We roomed sometimes and she’s great craic. Great person to be around. Looking forward to seeing if she gets back on the pitch this week,” she said.