A missed World Cup can break a career or build a new one. Erin King chose the second path. We sit down with Ireland’s captain to unpack the shock of injury, the slow work of rehab, and the mindset shift that turned heartbreak into hunger ahead of a landmark Guinness Six Nations. From that first uneasy scan to the first whistle back, Erin shows how perspective reshapes performance—and how gratitude can harden into game-winning edge.

We dig into Ireland’s resurgence and what’s changed beneath the highlights: smarter coaching, real investment from the IRFU, and youth pathways that finally give girls a clear route to the green jersey. Visibility is rising too, and it matters. The team’s first standalone at the Aviva Stadium against Scotland is more than a fixture; it’s proof that women’s rugby belongs on the biggest stages with the biggest crowds. We talk tactics and temperament—quick rucks, brave width, disciplined defence—and why big venues amplify belief as much as noise.

This is part of a short series celebrating Women in Sport week.

Here is yesterday’s Podcast with Nora Stapleton and Bethany Crason of Sport Ireland.

 

Image Credit: Sport Ireland Ireland

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