On making your senior debut, how did that feel walking out in an Ulster jersey?
I think that was the most nervous I have ever been for a game, but also the most excited. It didn’t sink in until I saw the stadium floodlights from the bus and I thought, wow, I really am making my debut. Last year I was in a difficult position, being too old for U18 but too young for the Senior team, meaning it had felt like a while since I had pulled on an Ulster shirt. I was very aware of the challenge that lay before me but excited at the opportunity to take it head on. Thankfully I have an amazing team around me, and was put at ease by some of the more senior players who were able to reassure me that I deserved to be there. Running onto the pitch with the team was incredible and it was such an exciting game to be a part of.
And scoring Ulster’s first try of the game, talk me through that moment.
In those moments, you don’t think about much else apart from the opportunity to work together as a team to score. I was making sure I was playing my part as the support player, and identifying that gap for Brittany. It wasn’t until I had actually got over the line that it really sank in. Getting Ulster’s first score of the campaign and also my first score as a Senior Ulster player was such a special moment for me. Hearing my name being called out in the stadium was surreal and something I will cherish.
How are you feeling about the Connacht game, how has training been going?
I am really looking forward to today’s game, and to play at home in Kingspan Stadium! We’ve had all our training here this year so it really does feels like home. For me, last week’s match was a real boost of confidence, and it proved to us that the work we have done over the Summer is paying off, and we are closing the gap between us and other provinces. We can’t sit back and admire last week’s match, we need to build on it and improve again for this week. Connacht offer a different challenge than Munster, but we’re confident if we take the learnings from last week’s game, that we can be on the right side of the result this week.
How has this year felt for you in terms of your development in rugby?
When I look back at this last 12 months, I’ve had a lot of significant rugby events and lots to be proud of; my first senior club game, captaining my school’s first ever rugby team and getting to the Girls Schools’ Cup final, and now an Ulster Senior cap. Within those teams I’ve had to fill many different roles, it was very much about being a leader and encouraging my teammates at school and for senior teams, it’s very much been a year of learning. Even after a minor setback after not making the Irish U20s squad, I have been able to push on and take in everything I can from that experience, and I feel like I have developed in the six weeks since then. I’m very grateful for the coaches and teammates I have had in all the various teams, that the support and encouragement and advice has been there anytime I have needed and has meant that I have been able to enjoy the transition from underage to senior rugby.
What are your long term goals with rugby?
It’s a really exciting time to be part of women’s rugby and there’s lots of new and exciting opportunities, for me personally I just want to continue improving and learning and enjoying the sport and see where it can take me.