2013 HAS BEEN an unforgettable year for Ireland fullback Niamh Briggs.
The Waterford native played a crucial role in a first-ever Grand Slam success for the women’s team, kicking the points that brought Ireland victory in the final game against Italy, before being named the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Women’s Player of the Year.
Briggs has been part of Ireland teams that beat Wales, Italy and Scotland with comfort in years gone by, but deservedly taking a clean sweep of all five games in the 2013 Six Nations was a step into the unknown.
“It was amazing. It was obviously something that we’d never experienced before. It’s been a whirlwind since it ended. I’m still playing away now, so I try not to think too hard about what we’ve created or the history that we’ve made.
I think it’ll definitely be when I retire that I look back and think, “Oh my good, we did that!” It’s been amazing and fantastic, but I try not to think too much about what it was or what it meant to women’s rugby.”
The UL Bohemians woman betrays her sheer professionalism in that attitude of always looking forward, focusing on the next challenge. It’s impossible to avoid asking her about the magnificent achievements of the year gone past though.
It is only natural that the final game of the campaign, away to Italy in horrific weather conditions, will stick in the memory but Briggs believes the first fixture of the competition was the vital one.
“I’ve played for years and never won away to Wales. To do it in the manner we did, with them camped on our line for the majority of the second half, before we came out of our 22 for approximately the last five minutes and won it.
“To grind out the score and win was amazing. Everyone came away from that match thinking that we’d get hammered if we played like that again, but in the end it just gave us momentum. It’s amazing what a couple of wins can do for a team in terms of building confidence.”
Ireland’s belief grew after that victory in Port Talbot, carrying them to comprehensive wins over England and Scotland, before a 15-10 success at home to France set up the nail-biting Grand Slam chance against Italy. Briggs stresses that there was one constant underlining each consecutive win.
“We’re very, very close and – we speak about this a lot – the team spirit that we have and the bond that we have. That’s ultimately what helped us against Wales, the ability to stick together and grind it out.
I think that’s been the most important positive for us; how we work together as a squad, from one to 30, it’s not just about the first 15. Girls who didn’t make the starting 15 drove us on. The most important thing for me was that closeness, that spirit, that passion.”
Briggs kicked the six points that secured Ireland’s Grand Slam in Italy, as well as impressing around the pitch throughout the competition. The fact that she had also been one of the leading players as Munster won the inter-provincial title at the start of the season highlights just how brilliant a year the former Dungarvan RFC back had.
That she was selected as the Rugby Writers Player of the Year was hardly a shock to those involved in the game, but the humble Briggs insists it was unexpected.
“That was a massive honour. I was surprised because there were so many standout performers for the year. I’m very honoured to receive it. It was definitely one of my most amazing personal achievements, but it wasn’t anything I’d ever set out to do.
“It’s one of those things, like the Grand Slam, it’s held in such high esteem that I don’t really think about the enormity of it, if that makes sense. My family were very proud, and I was honoured, but it could have gone to anybody.”
Finally quizzed on what the future holds, Briggs is infectiously enthusiastic. Ireland have a World Cup to plan for, with the latest global tournament set to take place in France in August. Briggs and her teammates will have to contend with the challenges of Kazakhstan, the US and the mighty New Zealand in Pool B.
Before that, a battle to retain the Grand Slam awaits in the 2014 Six Nations, something Briggs is keen to have a “good crack at”. The fact that Ireland will play England at Twickenham is exciting enough, but there is also a first-ever home tie at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin against Italy to look forward to.
“Oh my god, I have goosebumps now just thinking about it. Twickenham is probably the most famous rugby ground in the world and to be able to go out and play there, it’s fantastic. To be able to play at home in your national sports stadium is just… None of us ever thought about it.
Don’t get me wrong; Ashbourne had been brilliant for us, but to be able to get to play in the Aviva is amazing. It just goes to show how much we’ve been able to put women’s rugby on the map and the direction it’s going. The IRFU have been brilliant for us and the occasion is going to be amazing.”
These are thrilling times for the Ireland set-up, and the platform on the same bill as the men’s Six Nations fixtures should encourage more growth of the women’s game. Briggs says that she remains focused on her exploits on the pitch, but naturally is desperate to see the game grow even further.
“We’re always looking for more media attention, we’re always looking for our things to be publicised even more. We feel that even though we’re amateur, we’re professional in how we think and how we train.
“Ultimately, we want to get more girls playing rugby. If we can do that, we’re onto a winner. It’s about getting young girls playing, because in 10 years the sport will reap the benefits of those girls playing.”
