Ireland deserved victory, says Fryday

By Oli Dickson Jefford
10/4/22

Exeter Chiefs Women's lock Nichola Fryday believes Ireland deserved a victory against Italy after rebounding from back-to-back defeats to pick up their first win of the 2022 TikTok Women’s Six Nations.

Ireland have had a tough start to their campaign with a defeat to Wales followed by a loss to France, though are on the board following a comfortable 29-8 victory in Cork.

Four tries and an added penalty try helped Ireland seal victory in a much-improved display, and team captain Fryday said her side deserved to achieve such a result ahead of two big upcoming clashes.

“It’s something that the girls deserved. It’s been a tough two weeks but I always knew that they had the talent within themselves to get this performance,” she said. “We have a tough two weeks, we have England and Scotland and it’s going to be another huge battle for both games. We’re going to have to be twice as good for those two games.

“I’m immensely proud of the girls and the work they did today. We knew that this is what we could play like, if we could get certain things right like executing and playing in certain areas of the pitch that we want. The control of that game was so much more improved than previous games. I’m extremely proud of the girls for that.”

Errors at times cost Ireland in their Round 1 and 2 matches against Wales and France, and Fryday was pleased to put in a more disciplined performance this weekend.

And she admitted that the sizable crowd support at Musgrave Park also provided extra motivation throughout the contest.

Fryday said: “We took a hard look at our set piece, said that needed to have a big improvement and we did. That was really well improved today.

“Just playing in the right parts of the pitch and playing to the conditions as well, we had the wind against us in the first half so it was just about playing smarter rugby and that’s what the girls did. They demonstrated that.

“[The support] it’s amazing. It’s lifted us whenever we’re in the toughest parts of the match, to look up into the crowds and see family, see friends, see little girls and boys that have travelled to come and see us. That’s huge for us and we just appreciate all the support.”