Ciara Griffin: 'It was my third attempt and I got there. If you have a dream, go for it'

Still relatively young at 27 to be stepping out of the limelight, the Kerry native had only just turned 22 when she made her debut in a Six Nations victory over Wales in February 2016

Ciara Griffin. Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

As she gets set to bring her Ireland career to a close this weekend, Ciara Griffin is hopeful her story of perseverance can inspire a younger generation of rugby players to push themselves onto the biggest stage of all.

Saturday’s autumn test against Japan at the RDS (kick-off 3pm) will be Griffin’s last in the green jersey after the Ireland women’s captain yesterday announced her intention to retire from international duty.