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'Our defensive effort was high...

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'Our defensive effort was highlight of the campaign' | Adam Griggs reflects as Women's Six Nations wraps up

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98FM

09:09 24 Apr 2021


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Ireland head coach Adam Griggs was largely positive as this year's Women's Six Nations in association with Guinness came to an end.

A 20 point victory over Italy at Energia Park on Saturday afternoon saw his side secure a top-half finish in the campaign.

An opening win against Wales, a disappointing loss to France and victory over Italy secured third place in the table.

Speaking to OTB Sports following the game in Donnybrook, Griggs said it wasn't a perfect performance but a win is a win.

"I think it was probably a little bit scrappy.

"It wasn't as fluid as we would have liked but I suppose the result is what mattered in the end and we had some patches of really good play so we'll take the positives from that.

"The beauty is we know we can definitely get better."

25-5 was the final score thanks to Irish tries from Cliodhna Moloney, Dorothy Wall and Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe.

While England beat France 10-6 in London to win their 17th championship.

Griggs was particularly pleased with the display some of his players put on.

"I thought Stacey [Flood] managed the game really well.

"Certainly in that first half when we had that bit of a wind behind us, she put us in the right areas of the field and we were really happy with that.

"We probably just let ourselves down with some execution once we got into those areas but we felt that she had an obviously really strong game and kept the tempo up which we were delighted with.

"I thought Brittany [Hogan] did a great job as well, she brought her physicality, she tested them at the break-down so we were really pleased with that.

"Amee-Leigh [Murphy Crowe], we know what Amee-Leigh can bring and it was great to see her get some ball in space, we had a nice set-piece move that we'd worked on and it was really good to see her back herself and score those couple of tries for us."

In a competition that has been criticised by many for not being competitive, with the gulf between professional and amateur clear to see, this was probably Ireland's most interesting contest.

Griggs felt it highlighted a number of things; both in terms of areas they have to work upon and what they're doing well.

"Probably the biggest positive we'll take from it is our defensive effort.

"Italy will never stop coming at you, they're a scrappy team.

"We had to really dig deep and scrap for every inch around that defensive line as well.

"I think one of the huge positives is that we were able to keep them out.

"When we look at the game against Wales, similar times we were put under pressure and our defense held strong.

"I think over the last three games, while week two was obviously disappointing, we can take some positives from our defensive efforts and the way we scrambled and were able to keep teams really working hard to get across our line."


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