Nichola Fryday, the captain of Ireland's rugby team, has retired from international rugby.
The Offaly native represented her country 34 times since making her debut against Canada in 2016. In 2022, she was appointed Captain for the TikTok Women’s Six Nations by coach Greg McWilliams.
Fryday confirmed the news in a statement, expressing that the 2023 Six Nations was not the tournament she had hoped to end her international career on. However, she learned valuable lessons about grit and heart from her phenomenal teammates amidst adversity.
"The 2023 Six Nations may not have been the tournament I had hoped to end my International career on, but one thing I learned with that phenomenal group of players was the true definition of grit and heart in the midst of adversit," she said on the IRFU website
Reflecting on her time representing her country, Fryday acknowledged the highs and lows both personally and as part of the collective team. She expressed gratitude for the opportunities she had to captain the team and play 34 times for Ireland, achievements she couldn't have foreseen when she first started playing rugby at Tullamore RFC in 2015.
"My time representing my country has been full of highs and lows personally and as a collective. If back in 2015 you had told me when I first picked up a rugby ball in Tullamore RFC I would one day represent my country 34 times and captain the team for two seasons I wouldn't have believed you.
Fryday emphasized the beauty of women's rugby lies in the endless possibilities and the immense growth potential that still exists in the sport. She encouraged any girl or woman who decides to pick up a ball at their local club, just like she did.
"The beauty of women’s rugby is the endless possibilities and the huge growth still to be made in the sport for any girl or woman that decides to pick up a ball in their local club like I did."
Thank you @nicholafryday for everything you did in a green jersey and for leading the team over the last 18 months 💚#IrishRugby
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 21, 2023
The now-retired Ireland captain stated that she would cherish the memories she made in an Irish jersey for the rest of her life. However, she believes it is now the right time to retire from international rugby and focus on developing her career off the pitch while continuing to play club rugby with Exeter Chiefs.
"At some stage it comes to a natural end and that time is now for me as I look to develop my career off the pitch while continuing to play club rugby with Exeter.
"My time representing my country will be memories I cherish for the rest of my life.
She extended her gratitude to all the supporters over the years, expressing her belief that the team will grow to become a formidable force in the coming years. Fryday looks forward to supporting them from the stands. She also expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming season with Exeter Chiefs as they regroup and prepare for new challenges.
"To all of the supporters over the years thank you for always believing. I have no doubt over the next few years this team will grow to be a force to be reckoned with and I look forward to joining you in the stand and supporting them. I look forward to next season with Exeter Chiefs as we regroup and go again."
Looking ahead, potential contenders for the Ireland captaincy after Fryday include Sam Monaghan, Neve Jones, Linda Djougang, and Dorothy Wall.
