Huge congratulations on your upcoming debut, how are you feeling?
I’m so excited to make my debut, and it’s even better to make it at Kingspan Stadium, coming from Ulster. It’s where I got my first Ulster senior cap as well, so it’s really nice to get those debuts at the same place! Not many people can say that.
What was your reaction when Greg McWilliams said you were going to start?
I just took a moment to digest what was going to happen. When I found out during the week, I thought, “Oh my goodness, on Saturday I’m going to be playing for Ireland – it’s insane!”. But then I just took a moment and thought, “It’s just a rugby game, let’s go!”. My family and friends were all ecstatic. I’ve had loads of messages from people wishing me good luck and how excited they are to come to Kingspan Stadium to support us playing Scotland.
This is your first taste of being part of the senior international setup - how have you found it?
It’s been really good and has challenged my rugby further; I’ve had to step up my game another level, which is great because it helps me continue to improve. I’m learning from girls around me who have been in the set-up for a few years. It’s good to add to my experience.
It's sure to be a cracking game against Scotland, how has prep been going this week?
Preparations have been fantastic. We have been doing a lot of video analysis and a few pitch sessions to really focus on how we can improve on our last game and get around Scotland. We want to put out the best performance we can.
And what an occasion to make your debut here at Kingspan Stadium where you must hold some fond memories?
I remember playing my first Ulster cap; I came off the bench against Munster. It was raining a lot and I will never forget the first thing I had to do which was to tackle Fiona Hayes, and Irish international. I was only 18 and such a small fish in a big pond, but it was amazing. I’ve been at Kingspan Stadium a lot to support the men as well. It’s such a nice stadium to make my international debut!
My mum and dad are coming to the game, plus lots of aunties and uncles! One of my friends is coming over from England and there will be lots of girls coming from Cooke and City of Armagh RFC where it all started. I’ve been told I need to get a few photos and do the rounds with everyone after the game!
You mentioned a couple of your former clubs - how big a part did City of Armagh, Ballynahinch and Cooke RFC play in your development as a player before you moved to Sale Sharks?
They were hugely important to me. I’ve got a lot of fond memories of City of Armagh; in my final year, we went undefeated and I had a leadership role at age 18. That really helped me grow up. Ballynahinch was my first taste of senior women’s rugby, which is a step-up from under-age rugby. I had to make myself fitter and stronger to cope with the extra demands. I moved to Cooke to play in the All-Ireland League, where I progressed massively as I was playing against the best in Ireland. Finally, I ended up at Sale Sharks where I feel I’m getting better every week. Coming into the Ireland set-up, I will hopefully continue to improve. That’s all I can strive to do is keep getting better and work hard.
Tickets
Tickets are still available for this game and are priced from just £10 for adults and £5 for children. Tickets must be purchased in advance online.
This event is supported by Tourism NI.