Leah Williamson 'so happy' for England to face Ireland at the Aviva

England's Leah Williamson at an Aviva Stadium training session. Picture: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Leah Williamson is prone to crying but it’s shedding tears of anguish she’s keen to avoid during England’s defence of their crown.

This week last year, the Arsenal defender was visualising the World Cup ahead with the mission of adding another trophy to the Euros she’d captained her homeland to in 2022.

Then her ACL ruptured and the trip to Australia switched from player to support staff, as England came up one short against Spain in the final.

Sarina Wiegman has taken her time to reintegrate her skipper but confirmed Williamson will exchange pennants with clubmate Katie McCabe in the centre-circle of the Lansdowne Road surface.

Most likely she’ll revive her partnership with Alex Greenwood in central-defence, with Gunners teammate Lotte Wubben-Moy making way from the team that drew their opener against Sweden 1-1 on Friday.

England captain Leah Williamson during a press conference at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Picture: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

“The level in this team is so high,” the 27-year-old said about finally reclaiming her spot.

“Especially within my unit, the options and versatility are so good. I knew, coming back in, there was pressure to reach a certain level which I’ve been chasing the whole time.

“Whenever I play for England - we have had so many different games against different opposition - being a successful team puts a target on your back.

“We often meet teams who really, really want to beat us but I always trust that we want to beat them more.

“From a footballing perspective, this will be a great occasion.

“I am so happy that the game is at this stadium. This many people coming to watch women’s football is a huge credit to what Ireland have done over the last couple of years as well. We must enjoy that.

“Ireland will be really disciplined in the way that they defend, as they were against France.

“It’ll be a test for us to move the ball and move them.

“They have got key players up top but also a strong defensive line as well. I know all those girls really well, so it’s going to be a good one.” The one she knows best is McCabe, the supplier of some special moments for Arsenal.

“Well, if she doesn’t have the ball, she can’t do anything - that’s a good start,” Williamson joked about her enemy for the night.

Wiegman approved: “I was hoping for that answer.”