Balancing act for Boles with dual Irish mandate
Women’s Six Nations
Daire Walsh
After a memorable debut this month, Claire Boles is hopeful Ireland can continue their Women’s Six Nations renaissance against Italy this weekend.
A prominent member of the Sevens programme in recent seasons, the Enniskillen native was called into the 15s squad by Adam Griggs last December. She played the final 20 minutes of the recent morale-boosting win over Scotland – deputising for the experienced Claire Molloy in the back row.
“It was definitely an important game for us. It was a case of like win or nothing, if you know what I mean? We had to bounce back but it was a tough one to come back from [the England defeat]. The girls dug deep, definitely, and put in a good performance against Scotland,” Boles acknowledged.
“I enjoyed it and it was good to get the win on my debut. There’s good vibes in the camp and because we were off last weekend we can’t wait to get back and play Italy.”
Ireland will come face-to-face with the Championship’s meanest defence on current form at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma on Saturday.
Second-placed Italy have leaked just 10 points in their two games and lie three points adrift of pace-setters England.
And Boles is under no illusions about the task that awaits them.
“Italy did beat Scotland as well, so we’ll have to be prepared. It’s going to be a tough match. They definitely move the ball quickly and they’re good at executing. They’re good in possession, so they hold onto it. Our defence will definitely have to be up to the test.”
Having featured at the Dubai Invitational Sevens as recently as last November – when she was joined by five of her Railway Union club-mates – Boles continues to have a foot in both Irish camps. As well as juggling the two codes, the 20-year-old also has to factor her college commitments into the equation – she is a third-year chemical engineering student in UCD.
“I’m balancing it with a bit of everything. The 15s will have camp at the weekends and then I’ll be doing Sevens during the week. It’s just a bit of load management. Sevens is more high speed, fitness and 15s is a lot of endurance. It’s still good to have your base line fitness there.”