John McKee: Béibhinn Parsons can be among world's 'great wings'

Béibhinn Parsons can be "one of the great wingers in world rugby" but Ireland have to feed the Galway flyer.

Parsons, who will represent Ireland Sevens at the Olympic Games this summer, is back on Six Nations duty with Scott Bemand's side, who face France in their opening game on Saturday in Le Mans (2.15pm, live on RTÉ).

The 22-year-old has scored 14 tries in 21 caps and has been largely absent from the XVs squad over the past couple of seasons due to Sevens commitments, although she was involved when Ireland won WXV3 in October.

Her last championship appearance came against Italy in April 2021.

"It's really great for us to have the Sevens players back in the 15s game for this series," said senior coach John McKee.

"Béibhinn, for me, she can be one of the great wingers in world rugby.

"She can't wait to get out there and look for opportunities. We know what a great finisher she is.

"But it’s not only that. Wing position is a lot more than finishing off on the end of the line.

"Béibhinn has a high work rate in the game, helps with our defence in the backfield or helps with our kick-chase, she looks for work, she’s very strong in contact, she’ll break tackles.

"Hopefully we can get the ball in her hands when she’s got a foot race to the goal line but I think you’ll see a lot of other good work with her throughout the game, which will help us get on the front foot.

Bemand has handed a first cap to Leinster's Katie Corrigan (above), who starts on the right wing.

"She’s had quite a rapid rise, hard to think that this time last year she was with the Under-18 squad," added McKee.

"She’s a quality player, mature young lady, thinks about the game, brings a lot of confidence and backs herself, and as she showed during the Celtic Challenge,