Adam Griggs: AIL and inter-pros key to closing the gap on England and France

Ireland's Eimear Considine dejected after the 56-15 defeat to France last weekend. Picture: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Ireland head coach Adam Griggs has said establishing a consistent women’s rugby culture from grassroots level upwards will be the key to closing the gap to England and France on the international stage.

Having begun their Six Nations campaign with an encouraging bonus triumph over Wales, a chastening 56-15 defeat at the hands of the French in Dublin last Saturday brought Ireland back down to earth. While bright prospects like Beibhinn Parsons and Dorothy Wall took up the sport at a young age, there are multiple examples of these kinds of players in the Championship’s top-two sides.