Ireland’s women enter Twickenham ready to ‘fight fire with fire’

A double Triple Crown, achieved underneath the cavernous confines of Twickenham on the one day, would stand proudly beside any great moment in Ireland’s rugby history.

For Philip Doyle’s women to hold up their end of the bargain they must overcome an English side that has dominated this tournament for many, many seasons.

Until 2013. When all changed, changed utterly.

Last season England focussed on the Sevens World Cup in Moscow, pulling their speedsters from the side that lost 25-0 on what was still a momentous victory in Ashbourne.

“Only one of the backline that started against us last year remains,” said Doyle.

“This England backline is special, with serious pace out wide and in Emily Scarraff they have one of the best backs in the world,

“I think she is at fullback to counteract Niamh Briggs’ kicking game.”

Still, Grand Slams don’t fall off trees. England may have travelled up to county Meath last season without their sharpest spears but it wasn’t a dud selection. That thumping cut them to their core.

So, how to overcome significantly larger and quicker opponents?

As Lynne Cantwell wrote this week, Ireland might not be the biggest or fastest side but there is no reason why they can't be the smartest.

A plan has been hatched.

“We will fight fire with fire,” Doyle continued, “because if we don’t take on the English up front we’re gone.

“They are a damn good team, especially at the set piece, so we are going to take them through the phases, keep the ball alive and make the best use of our possession. The usual! Nothing rocket science about it. Just find a way.”

Ice in their veins
That's Fiona Coglan's group summed up in a nutshell. They have already shown that there's ice in their veins. Now they must go out and do it again.

It means making maximum use of every scrap of possession that comes the way of Donegal halfback pairing of Larissa Muldoon and Nora Stapleton.

Muldoon is a feisty, vocal scrumhalf who like any good coxswain will drag every ounce energy from her rowers. Stapleton is a smooth running, clean distributing outhalf that usually knows when to launch Jenny Murphy or defer to Lynne Cantwell, who regularly acts as a second play-maker.

It’s also obvious now that Laois winger Alison Miller has that uncoachable striker’s instinct which makes her dangerous from anywhere on the field.

Much like their male counterparts, Ireland’s lineout maul was a hugely effective weapon against Wales but England know what’s coming and will seek to do likewise.

That makes the breakdown more important than ever. Thankfully Claire Molloy doesn’t do bad games. The openside will be visible over the tackle area this evening. What matters is the impact of those who arrive after her.

Problem is England’s most prominent player is usually Maggie Alphonsi. If the Saracens flanker holds sway at the breakdown then Muldoon could be in for a torrid night’s work.

Breaking it all down, and taking into consideration England’s familiarity with Twickenham, their revenge mission and individual superiority, it all points to a comfortable win for the hosts.

But the mental strength that comes with being crowned champions has given Ireland an X-factor.

“You don’t have to get them up for England. I haven’t had to do any mental prep to make sure they are in the right frame of mind.”

Unneeded pressure
England coach Gary Street already heaped unneeded pressure on his charges by making noise about winning every game in 2014. This immediately came back on them in the opening 18-6 defeat to France.

“We won’t be phased by the surroundings either. It’s a great honour to play there. Once they cross the white line it’s two rugby teams going hell for leather at each other.”

Fiona Coghlan’s pack, where Sophie Spence has been superb, and Cantwell’s backline simply have to find a way.

ENGLAND : E Scarratt; K Merchant , A Reed , R Burford, K Wilson (Bristol); K McLean ( capt), N Hunt; R Clark (Worcester), E Croker , S Hemming ; R Essex , J McGilchrist; H Gallagher, M Alphonsi, S Hunter. Replacements: V Fleetwood , L Keates, S Acheson , T Taylor, M Packer, LT Mason, C Large, L Thompson .
IRELAND: N Briggs; A Baxter, L Cantwell , J Murphy, A Miller; N Stapleton, L Muldoon ; F Coghlan (capt), G Bourke, A Egan ; S Spence, M-L Reilly; S Fleming , C Molloy , H O' Brien. Replacements: S-L Kennedy, F Hayes, K -A Craddock , L Guest, A Davis, H Casey, G Davitt , J Shiels.