Ross: We can bounce back from stinging defeat
RUGBY
Women’s Six Nations
Daire Walsh
Ireland Women’s scrum coach Mike Ross has admitted last Friday evening’s chastening defeat to England at Donnybrook was a hard one to take.
Despite an encouraging start to their Six Nations opener, the hosts suffered a 51-7 reversal. Having seen some dark days during his own career with Ireland, he was able to offer words of encouragement to an understandably deflated squad.
“It did sting, because we had really built up towards that game. We trained well during the week but ultimately England just outclassed us. We didn’t match their physicality,” Ross acknowledged.
“But I said it to the girls afterwards, I was in an Irish side that went down to New Zealand in 2012 and lost 60-0. A handful of years after and we are beating them, so don’t get too downhearted.”
Ross pointed out many of the Irish players are still finding their feet.“We are progressing but the other thing is, a lot of the women have under 10 caps. Claire Molloy has more caps than the rest of the squad put together.”
Next up for Ireland will be a trip to Scotstoun Stadium this Friday (kick-off 7.35pm) to face a Scotland side that suffered defeat against Italy.
“Scotland lost unexpectedly to Italy last week. We’ll both be hurting after our respective results, but I hope we’ll want it more,” he added.