There will be no outing at the Aviva Stadium this season for the Irish Women’s Rugby team. We believe that is a backwards step.
Details of the matches in the RBS Six Nations were published yesterday and both of Ireland’s matches against England and France will be played at Ashbourne Rugby Club.
In February now retired captain Fiona Coghlan made history by leading the team out to play Italy at the Aviva, following on from Brian O’Driscoll’s last home game in an Irish shirt.
Despite the heroics of beating New Zealand and reaching a World Cup semi final in August, there will be no repeat for her successor.
While there will be words about ‘Fortress Ashbourne’ and the need to be realistic about the appeal of the Women’s game, we at Sport for Business are disappointed and frustrated at the fact that this step back from what was a positive move only nine months ago has been taken.
You never achieve greatness by being realistic. You never hit the heights of potential by settling for small incremental improvements.
Over 500,000 watched Ireland play England in Paris in the World Cup semi final. The team who showed what was possible deserved a greater vote of confidence.
France, England and Ireland are playing at a higher level than the other teams in the 6 Nations and these two games would show the game at a very high standard. England would draw a crowd regardless even if most of those in the stadium to watch the men had retreated to the bars.
It would have been an opportunity to show that we as a nation take Women’s sport seriously and show ourselves as a beacon for others.
The game between France and England will take place at Twickenham in March.
Why Ireland could and should host the 2017 Women’s World Cup
The players have done everything they could to establish their place in public sentiment. Their achievements over two years in winning a Grand Slam and in the World Cup were achieved on effort and adrenaline.
Niamh Briggs learnt her kicking technique from You Tube but they kept going and won more than could ever have been imagined.
Their captain is retired, their coach has also departed and has yet to be replaced. The team manager has also taken up a new role in England. This feels like an opportunity has been let slip away and that is not right.
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