The shape I'm in: Fiona Coughlan, former Ireland rugby player

FIONA COUHGLAN, the former caption of the Irish women’s rugby team, is all too aware of the forces that can make or break sport: “money and media”.

It’s why men’s rugby has soared but she is not about to complain about the professional versus amateur status of the two camps.

“The men are the ones who bring in the money so realistically I’ve no gripe with them. They are fully deserving of what they get.

"If it wasn’t for their team the women’s team wouldn’t have anything. We get the spinoff. We get funded through a lot of what the men’s income brings in.”

Aged 35 and single, she is on a year-long career break from her job as a PE teacher, and is loving the flexibility —“I’ve done loads and been involved in a lot of things”.

Along the way, she was asked to get involved in last year’s World Rugby Cup as liaison officer for the Italian team.

“It made me realise how much our management did without us knowing it. And it also made me realise that though we were an amateur team we weren’t very far off what the professional teams were doing with regard to training and recovery and strategies.

“Even as amateurs we could hit the same standards as the professionals without all that money behind us. ”

She believes it’s vitally important that children are involved in sport from a young age.

“I’m a firm believer that there is a physical activity out there for everyone, it’s only the matter of getting the opportunity to experience it. It doesn’t have to be a sport — just being active.”

* Fiona Coughlan is an ambassador for the An Post Cycle Series, which starts on April 30. For details see: www.anpost.ie/cycling

What shape are you in?

I certainly am not as fit as I was during the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2014.

Now I play Gaelic football for the team in Clontarf and so that keeps me ticking over.

I train twice a week and play in matches. I also do a bit in the gym. I go three times a week. I enjoy lifting weights a lot.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

I’d still be quite structured in what I eat. I always start the day with a good breakfast with protein, like eggs. I eat every three hours.

I’d be very conscious of getting enough water in to me. I always have a bottle with me in my bag or car.

I’d be quite good overall, but I probably give myself more treats than I used to.

What are your guiltiest pleasures?

Bread or crisps. I don’t have a sweet tooth. My biggest problem is always bread — even brown bread. It’s the easiest thing to grab when you’re on the run. Once I start with a piece of bread it rarely ends there.

What would keep you awake at night?

I’m a great sleeper. I thankfully don’t have too many worries. I don’t have a phone or a TV in my room — when I go to bed I am ready to go to sleep.

How do you relax?

Just catching up with friends or family whether it’s going for a walk or a drink. When I was training it’s something I missed out on a lot. I’d love to be still training like that but it is intense.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Richie McCaw, the All Blacks player; Nelson Mandela, the way he could forgive was just amazing; and Mary McAleese, she is really inspirational.

What’s your favourite smell?

The fresh smell of someone when they come in on a cold night. And I love the perfume I wear — Calvin Klein’s Euphoria. It’s a bit of habit now.

What would you like to change about your appearance?

I’ve got a scar on my forehead from rugby. I’d like that to be gone. Everyone says ‘leave it, it tells a story’ but I have enough to be talking about. You’d always want to improve yourself but you are who you are.

When is the last time you cried?

Probably the last time I played for Ireland against France in the World Cup —that stands out. We also lost.

What traits do you least like in others?

Selfishness. Sport is all about going that extra mile for people around you.

What traits do you least like about yourself?

I can be impatient at times. I’ve improved over the years with delegation. But I’m definitely still working on it.

Do you pray?

No. I don’t really think too much about it.

What would cheer up your day?

I hate sitting in the house on my own — so if there was someone around to catch up with, it would definitely cheer up my day.