From Twitter to TV for Irish women’s rugby

The news that RTÉ will broadcast next week’s women’s Six Nations clash against England live from Twickenham was warmly greeted yesterday.

Coverage will be shown on RTÉ 2 from 6.15pm on Saturday week, February 22, and should Joe Schmidt’s men and Philip Doyle’s ladies both win, it will be the first time Ireland will have done a Triple Crown double with both teams already defeating Scotland and Wales.

The women’s fixture was to originally feature on RTÉ News Now, but will be aired on the flagship sports channel instead, after an online campaign instigated by Irish fan Kate McEvoy on Twitter earlier this week played its part in generating much publicity in getting the game televised.

Following Ireland’s win over Wales in Ashbourne last Friday, McEvoy tweeted “@RTErugby please please tell me you will be televising the women’s game at Twickenham?”, including the hashtag #WomensRugbyonRTE.

Hundreds joined her in the plea to the broadcaster, and McEvoy said she has been overwhelmed by it all.

“I’m gobsmacked how it all took off, but it’s fair to say that the support was always there, I just probably tapped into it in some way,” she told the Irish Examiner.

“RTÉ, to their credit, have been huge supporters of the women, broadcasting the previous games on 2FM, and it’s great now that they’ve taken this step,” said McEvoy, who travelled to Scotland last year to watch the ladies win the Triple Crown.

“The IRFU done brilliantly too in facilitating their game against Italy at the Aviva, and just as a fan of both the men’s and women’s game, it’s super to see,” she added.

Ryle Nugent and Grand Slam winner Joy Neville will form the commentary team, while Rosie Foley will provide analysis.