IRELAND begin their Six Nations campaign, but there will be no Brian O'Driscoll or Paul O'Connell.
Instead, Fiona Coghlan will captain 2013 champions the Ireland Women, as they begin their season by facing Scotland on Friday evening in Ashbourne.
The team includes five Irish Exiles players, three of whom are named in the starting line-up ahead of tomorrow's game. One of the benched players who is hoping to make her international debut is Kerrie-Ann Craddock.
She spoke to The Irish Post this morning from Stansted Airport just before boarding the plane to Ireland ahead of the team’s debut fixture.
“I’m really excited at being given the opportunity to play for my country,” she said.
“Ashbourne is an amazing ground to play in and an amazing crowd as well. It’s definitely an advantage being in the home ground, especially for our campaign to maintain the title."
Ireland clinched the championship last year after delivering a triumphant comeback against France, which also ended England's seven year winning run.
“We’ve been playing some good rugby, I think we just have to look at our opponents and see how we’re going to play against them to see how we’re going to secure the win,” she added.
The Saracens player, who also hailed from the Exiles team that faced Scotland in December in Edinburgh, is looking to earn her first cap in this competition.
A PE teacher by profession, she believes that tomorrow’s game is going to be a great opening match for the Six Nations, and that Ireland will not be threatened by the change in line-up that they may face.
“They’ve [Scotland] got some very aggressive forwards, so as long we can maintain our formation it’s going to be a good match and hopefully Ireland will come out on top.”
Craddock believes that her position in the Ireland team is a result of her affiliation with the Exiles, and refers thankfully to “how supportive Irish Exiles have been in preparing me for international rugby.
“Without them we would not have had the direct exposure to Irish Rugby, which I am very grateful for.”
For her, joining experienced national players such as Coghlan and Lynne Cantwell, who is entering her 12th Six Nations, will guide her through her debut campaign in a green jersey.
“I’ve not been through this experience before; it’s all very new to me. It’ll probably hit me tomorrow when we’re singing the national anthem, it’s definitely very exciting,” she adds.
“My sister lives in Dublin and my family are from Tipperary so my dad is going to come to watch. He’s really proud. It’s going to be a good day tomorrow.”
Craddock has been named as a replacement for Friday’s fixture and she will be watching on from the bench as her fellow Saracens teammate Hannah Casey gains her first cap.
Head Coach Philip Doyle will be hoping that the Ireland Women will use the Six Nations as a warm-up ahead of this summer’s World Cup, especially with the new additions to the team.
Pressure rests on the squad’s shoulders to live up to the high level of expectation placed on them, however, two away games against England at Twickenham Stadium and at the Stade du Hameau in France may prove tough fixtures.
Ireland have not been able to play much international rugby since last year’s tournament, which may also be a disadvantage.
Scotland performed disappointingly throughout last year’s campaign, placing sixth and scoring only three points in total and suffering two heavy defeats.
There are eight players making their debut in the Scottish team tomorrow and Tracey Balmer was named as the new captain.
They may not prove to be Ireland’s biggest challenge, but facing a fresh team may throw up some surprises.
Fixtures:
Friday 31 January, Ireland Women v Scotland Women – Ashbourne RFC
Friday 7 February, Ireland Women v Wales Women – Ashbourne RFC
Saturday 22 February, England Women v Ireland Women – Twickenham Stadium
Saturday 8 March, Ireland Women v Italy Women – Aviva Stadium
Friday 14 March, France Women v Ireland Women – Stade du Hameau
