Youth providing hope for Ireland says number eight Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird amid Six Nations struggles

Ireland No.8 Deirbhile Nic A Bhaird insists 'good things are coming' despite a difficult start to the 2023 TikTok Women's Six Nations. While results have been difficult to come by, the performance of their young forwards has been a cause for optimism.

Ad Of the four players to have started in the front row for Ireland this campaign, all are under the age of 30 including 18-year-old Sadhbh McGrath who has caught the eye in her first Championship. Champions CupDupont named Six Nations player of the championship ahead of Irish stars29/03/2023 AT 16:08 Throw in victories for the Under-18s side against Italy and Scotland during the Six Nations Under-18 Women's Festival and there is renewed hope that the system is producing players who can compete on the Test stage.

«It's about building, it is a young squad, we have very mixed experience levels and the scrum was excellent,» said Nic A Bhaird, speaking after Ireland's defeat in Italy. «Even for younger props like Sadhbh coming through, Neve O' Dowd coming through, to see what we're capable of in terms of setting a benchmark for them is massive.

Top try scorers Murley and Carerras face of in Gallagher Premiership rugby battle Vunipola's World Cup in doubt after season-ending injury Tigers veteran Ashton announces retirement at end of season »Nichola and Sam are such incredible leaders from the second row driving us around the park. I know we have the people to do the job that we need to do, we just need to find the last little bits.

«We take great confidence from that and youth is a double-edged sword, you do need experience to end games like these on a high but it's a good thing. We know good things are coming.» Six Nations Rugby, the official organising body responsible for