Griffin raring to go in new-look Irish side
IRELAND captain Ciara Griffin has backed Sevens star Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe to make a big impact in the Women’s Six Nations after her maiden call-up to the national side. The Tipperary flyer has been a sensation on the Sevens circuit in recent years, scoring 35 tries during the 2019 campaign. Now Murphy Crowe will look to make the same impact in the 15-a-side game ahead of the forthcoming championship. ‘She has a brilliant rugby brain,’ said Griffin. ‘She does her homework. She works so hard off the field and performs so well on the field. I can’t wait to see her tear it up in this campaign.’ For the first time, the Women’s edition of the Six Nations will be held as a standalone tournament, with Ireland beginning their campaign away to Wales on April 10 before they welcome France to Energia Park the following Saturday. The competition will run in a one-off format with two groups of three teams with the winners of both groups facing off for the title on April 24. ‘This format is new for us but every match is a cup final,’ said Griffin. ‘You need to win every game, there’s no chances, which is what you need. It’s going to be very exciting rugby and that’s why I can’t wait. ‘We’ve been chomping at the bit now for nearly six months waiting to play. ‘We’re very happy with our preparation and all the work we’ve done, now we want to take to the field and play.’ And Griffin feels this newlook Ireland squad are in good shape ahead of the campaign. ‘One big thing for us is our defensive system,’ said the Cork-born backrower. ‘Our line speed is something we’ve worked on a lot, our work off the ball, work-rate, we’ve worked on that. ‘Again, attacking rugby, playing what’s in front of you, playing that expansive game that we know we can play.’ All three of Ireland’s games will be screened on RTÉ and Griffin believes this will be a great opportunity to grow the game. ‘We’re in a privileged position and we have an opportunity to show the country, show the nation what we can do. ‘In terms of extra pressure, I don’t think so because we’d go out and play rugby day in, day out if we could so it’s just a natural thing for us. So we’re just going to go out with our game plan, with our game focus. ‘Obviously people will be watching which is great but it won’t be an added pressure. If anything, we’ll be putting pressure on ourselves to put in the performances that we know we can put in. So looking forward to playing the match and for the nation to watch.’