Tyrrell stars as Higgins debuts for Ireland on Six Nations stage
By Daire Walsh
IT WAS a perfect start to the Women’s Six Nations Championship for Hannah Tyrrell and Eve Higgins at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday, with both players featuring prominently for Ireland in their emphatic 45-0 bonus point triumph over Wales.
Whereas Lucan native Higgins was making her 15s international debut – having lined out 20 times for the Ireland Sevens in the past – Clondalkin’s Hannah Tyrrell picked up an 18th cap at this grade.
It proved to be a particularly memorable outing for the latter, who was a popular choice as ‘Player of the Match’ on a day when many Irish players produced stand-out performances.
In addition to crossing the whitewash for a stoppage-time try, Tyrrell also contributed five conversions from seven attempts at goal – giving her a final personal tally of 15 points.
A strong break from the former Dublin ladies footballer created the platform for Eimear Considine’s third-minute try and she later delivered a delicate crossfield kick for Beibhinn Parsons to touch down in comfortable fashion.
In total, Tyrrell carried for 97 metres and made 23 passes over the course of the action. After searching far and wide for a first-choice option at fly-half, Ireland head coach Adam Griggs appears to have settled on the former Round Towers star for the immediate future.
Thrown in at the deep end alongside the vastly-experienced Sene Naoupu, Higgins did display some signs of nerves at outside centre. Some handling errors halted her momentum, but the industry of the Colaiste Cois Life alum could not be faulted.
From 12 ball carries, she made up all of 93 metres and managed to complete the full 80 minutes on her international bow. Munster’s Enya Breen was introduced off the bench in the final-quarter of the contest and is expected to put Higgins under pressure for a starting spot against France on Saturday.
Whoever prevails from that clash at Dublin’s Energia Park will progress to a Championship decider against England on the following weekend.
With Naoupu and Dorothy Wall joining Tyrrell, Considine and Parsons on the scoresheet in the Welsh capital, they will certainly have grown in confidence ahead of their first home game of the year.