In the world of rugby, the Women's Six Nations is a tournament that has been steadily gaining momentum and recognition. And this year, it's set to make history with a significant milestone in Ireland. Eve Higgins, a 26-year-old center for the Irish women's team, has shared her hopes and aspirations for this momentous occasion.
The Rise of Women's Rugby in Ireland
For Higgins, the journey to this point has been a personal one. Growing up, she and her father would make the trip to Ashbourne to watch the women's game on Fridays, followed by the men's matches at the Aviva Stadium on Saturdays. While the men's games drew larger crowds, the support for the women's game was growing steadily, forming a 'Green Wave' of dedicated fans.
This Sunday, the Aviva Stadium will host its first standalone women's game, a testament to the increasing popularity and recognition of women's rugby in Ireland. It's a far cry from the days when women's Six Nations games served as curtain-raisers for the men's matches.
Breaking Records and Filling Stadiums
The numbers speak for themselves. This weekend's final round against Scotland has already sold over 28,000 tickets, more than tripling the previous record of 9,206 fans for Ireland's opening home game against Italy. This trend is not unique to Ireland; the opening game of this year's championship between England and Ireland drew a record 77,120 spectators to Twickenham's Aviva Stadium.
Higgins describes the prospect of playing in front of such a large home crowd as "extremely special." She adds, "We wanted to have games in the Aviva, but we wanted to do it at a time that we could fill the stadium as we didn't want to play in empty stadiums."
A Championship of Form and Frustration
From an Irish perspective, this championship has largely gone to form. They've secured home wins over Italy and Wales, and while they put up strong performances against England and France, they fell short of the victories they sought. Higgins reflects on these defeats with a mix of frustration and determination, highlighting the team's "hunger to improve and keep pushing the limits."
The Challenge Ahead
As Ireland looks to round off their campaign with a perfect home record, they face a formidable opponent in Scotland. Despite Scotland's recent losses, Higgins is quick to point out the challenges that lie ahead. "We've had very close games with Scotland in the past," she notes. "They're a proud team, and we know it's going to be a highly competitive game."
A New Era for Women's Rugby
This weekend's match represents more than just a rugby game. It's a symbol of the growing recognition and support for women's sports. As Higgins puts it, "The fact that our first occasion in this stadium will be in front of a record crowd of 28,000-plus people is brilliant and it shows you what performances can do."
So, as the Irish women's team takes to the field at the Aviva Stadium, they'll be doing more than just playing a game. They'll be writing a new chapter in the history of women's rugby, inspiring the next generation of athletes, and proving that women's sports deserve the spotlight and the support of packed stadiums.
