‘We’re going out there to win and we will win’
Women’s Six Nations
Scotland v Ireland
Daire Walsh
Alison Miller is confident Ireland can get their Women’s Six Nations campaign back on track when they face Scotland at this evening (Scotstoun Stadium, kick-off 7.35pm).
Adam Griggs’ side fell to a heavy defeat (51-7) at the hands of England in the opening round of the Championship, but the Portlaoise winger is bullish about their chances of success on the west end of Glasgow.
“We’re going out there to win and we will win. That’s our attitude. We will win if we perform well. We have to perform. You’re not just guaranteed a win. It’s a hugely important game to bounce back,” Miller stated.
On the same night that Ireland were second best to the English in Donnybrook, Scotland suffered a surprise 7-28 home reversal to an unfancied Italy. This heightens the tension ahead of tonight’s second round contest, with both teams seeking an immediate response.
“It’s going to be a big game for both teams. I think the one thing always about a team, if you lose a game like we did Friday you just want to get back out there and play again. You just can’t wait to get out and play and rectify the mistakes you made.”
Following a fleeting cameo last Friday, Miller has been reinstated to the Irish back-three alongside Lauren Delany and Eimear Considine. Though it proved to be a tough return to the international scene for the 34-year-old, the positive elements of the performance gives her considerable hope for the future.
“There were great spells. There was a lot to take from it. The scrum was excellent. We moved the ball around very well, we held onto it.
“It’s just I suppose the last part of the puzzle, that last pass or just a knock-on when we looked like scoring. We have to try and fix those things.”
Despite Miller’s inclusion at the expense of Megan Williams, Griggs has resisted the urge for wholesale changes. The rest of the back-line remains intact, but there are two alterations in the forward pack.
Emma Hooban is added the front-row in place of Fiona Reidy (Cork’s Leah Lyons switches to tighthead) and Anna Caplice is a direct replacement for Juliet Short at blindside flanker.
UL Bohemian hooker Deirbhile Nic A Bhaird and Claire Boles are also in line to make their Ireland debuts off the bench.
IRELAND: L Delany; E Considine, S Naoupu, M Claffey, A Miller; N Fowley, A Hughes; L Feely, E Hooban, L Lyons; A McDermott, N Fryday; A Caplice, C Molloy, C Griffin.
Replacements: D Nic A Bhaird, L Djougang, F Reidy, C Boles, C McLaughlin, K Dane, E Murphy, M Williams.
SCOTLAND: C Rollie; L Musgrove, H Smith, L Thomson, A Sergeant; H Nelson, M Grieve; L Cockburn, L Skeldon, M Kennedy; E Wassell, D McCormack; R Malcolm, R McLachlan, S Bonar.
Replacements: J Rettie, K Dougan, M Forsyth, S Anderson, N Howat, S Law, L Martin, R Lloyd.