Tyrrell hoping Ireland women can take final step on road to Six Nations Grand Slam

By Stephen Leonard

HANNAH Tyrrell knows the final step on the road to a 2017 Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam is sure to prove Ireland’s toughest as they face off against a rampant England team that has carved out the very same opportunity.

The Clondalkin woman served up another crucial try in Ireland’s 7-12 victory over Wales in Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday that served to maintain their unbeaten run in this year’s competition.

Yet standing in their way of a Six Nations clean sweep is an English outfit that blitzed Scotland 64-0 later that same day and will be coming into this final game in Donnybrook on St Patrick’s Day with a 45.5 point average from their four matches so far in the competition.

“England are a special outfit” said Tyrrell. “They’re training full time. They have so many threats with a very strong pack, while their backs are very dangerous.

“But we’ll just be focusing on our own game and our own game systems and hopefully we can come out on the right side of the result.

“It’s going to be a hugely physical 80 minutes but, look, who doesn’t like a crack at the English, especially for a Grand Slam. It’s going to be a fantastic game between two really good sides.

“I think there is a huge sense of excitement. This is really a huge opportunity for us. We know what we’re capable of and what are the abilities of each player and what they can bring to the game,” she added.

Ireland have had to scrap a lot harder for their Six Nations wins this season barely seeing off gritty Scottish outfit thanks to a last-minute try by Jenny Murphy before they clinched a bonus point in Italy thanks to Tyrrell’s tremendous late touchdown with captain Paula Fitzpatrick from Tallaght also breaking over the whitewash in that match.

They had just three points to spare over France when Les Bleus visited Donnybrook in Round Three after which they eventually saw off Wales by five last weekend.

“The bonus point in Italy was massive because it kept us in touch,” recalled Tyrrell.

“Wales made us really work for our win and it was great that we were able to break them down after 60 minutes.

“It’s always nice to score a try, but the win is more important. We’re four from four now with a big game coming up and I’m just delighted that I can be involved. I’m just really looking to make a contribution to the team.

“We know we have not probably performed to the best of our ability so hopefully we can really put in a great performance against England.

“It’s always a good sign when a team is not playing their best but can still grind out those wins.

“We’re going for a Grand Slam. The support we’ve had so far has been fantastic and hopefully we can put in a performance that repays that.

“We know how much it means to them [the supporters] and we want to show them how much it means to us.

“There will be a great atmosphere and hopefully we can get the win which will be a nice step up to the World Cup later in the year” she added.