While there may have been a split between the 15s and Sevens players in the past, there currently doesn’t appear to be any discord. In fact, Béibhinn Parsons, Eve Higgins and Aoibheann Reilly, who were part of Ireland’s inaugural Sevens title win in Perth recently, will be remaining with the Irish squad for the entirety of the Six Nations. Though the only Sevens tournament that coincides with the Six Nations will take place in Hong Kong in the first week of April, sandwiched between Ireland’s home matches against Italy and Wales, the Sevens players will nonetheless retain their places in Scott Bemand’s Six Nations squad, ensuring continuity.
Higgins’ assumption of the leadership role from Edel McMahon towards the end of the France match was a clear signal of this arrangement. Parsons confirmed as much, telling journalists: “We’ll be sticking with the 15s team for now, even though we snuck in some Sevens practice yesterday. The communication between the two formats is quite smooth and we do have some overlap.”
Of all the players, Parsons, with her agility, speed, scoring prowess and a flair for the dramatic, has the makings of a star performer. She debuted on the Ireland team as the youngest ever player, male or female, at the age of 16. Parsons has dazzled ever since, almost scoring a brilliant try with her first touch. Yet she is down-to-earth and not in the least bit pretentious. As per sources, the 22-year-old is known for her sunny disposition, good manners, diligence, and attention to detail, akin to her male counterpart, Josh van der Flier, though with a twinkle in her eye.
Neve Jones’ comments on Parsons this week were telling. The hooker didn’t hesitate to say: “She’s lovely.”
Jones ardently expressed her affection for her colleague, highlighting her kind and effervescent nature, and somewhat playfully revealing her penchant for naps. He stated that her warmth and vivacity make her a beloved presence.
Parsons described her dual roles in both the WXV 3 in Dubai and the Six Nations, alongside her Sevens obligations, as a mutual decision. She started her career in 15s, and she was thrilled to return to the team under a new coaching administration. For Parsons, transitioning between the two has been effortless. Moreover, her involvement in WXV has improved her understanding of the game dynamics, and she feels well cared for.
Dupont, on the other hand, is expected to bridge the gap effortlessly at the forthcoming Olympics. However, he acknowledges that the two are fundamentally different sports. According to Parsons, the emphasis on the kicking technique in 15s is not replicated in Sevens, as demonstrated in the game against France in Le Mans. She looks forward to more ball possession in the upcoming game. Despite the increased competition for possession, each one-on-one encounter is priceless. On the other hand, the Sevens game with its broader space might be more appealing for Parsons, making the 15-a-side game seem alternatively crowded.
Further, Parsons highlights the glaring discrepancy between Sevens’ demanding anaerobic fitness requirement due to its high intensity and 15s slow-paced, strategic format. In Sevens, participants are expected to play six games over the weekend, compared to one game in 15s over an entire week. In conclusion, she distinguished the two codes; one is nimble and brisk; the other requires thoughtful strategy.
The opportunity to represent Ireland in the Paris Olympics this summer is an exciting possibility. “It’s an amazing sensation. It feels surreal yet we have to remain focused on upcoming matches like the one in Madrid. The women’s teams have competitions in Hong Kong and Singapore as well. There’s much groundwork and preparation that needs to happen before our arrival in Paris,” she explained.
Our victory in Perth illustrates that we can dust anyone on the pitch, but we need to showcase that consistently. We desire to participate in the Paris Olympics as competitors; however, there’s a significant amount of work left,” she elaborated further.
When asked to pinpoint a favourite, Parsons retorted swiftly, “It’s akin to picking a favourite child. It’s an impossible choice for me.” Similarly, her response was swift and tactful when questioned about missing the Six Nations event last year.
“If given the option to be in two locales simultaneously, I’d take it without hesitation. However, last year was crucial for us in the Sevens, as we reached our objective of Olympics qualification. So, I consider our mission to have been successful, ” she asserts.
Indeed, Parsons appears to have mastered the art of multi-tasking, effectively juggling her duties in the 7s and 15s rugby teams, while also pursuing her biomedical, health and life sciences degree. “My studies are progressing well. I owe a lot to DCU for their tremendous support. They’ve been phenomenal,” she remarks.
Despite her acclaim and popularity, Parsons remains grounded and connected to her origins. Every time there’s a match involving Ireland, she’s subtly reminded of her roots by the presence of fellow players Reilly and Méabh Deely, with whom she shares a history with at the progressive Ballinasloe RFC club.
Parsons also credits her sports-centric family background – her father Vincent’s stint as a Gaelic football coach and her cousin Tom Parsons’ role in the Gaelic Players Association – for her determined sporting spirit. Even though she was born and raised in Ballinasloe, she, like the rest of her family, supports Mayo.
She confessed, chuckling, “I can’t help but reflect on my origins given that my parents are usually part of the spectators.” If not, Aoibheann’s or Méabh’s parents are there, since we are all from Ballinasloe. It’s tremendous to have that kind of backing with the girls I’ve been playing alongside since the beginning, and our parents never miss a chance to support us by attending our matches. This has been significantly helpful and their support has been unwavering.”
After missing a few AIL matches in the previous season, Parsons eagerly looks forward to her first home game in the current season – a crucial match with Italy. This follows her memorable comeback during her team’s loss at the Six Nations last Saturday, albeit 38-17.
Witnessing the overpowering presence of French local supporters, she adds, “It was awe-inspiring to play in France amidst home audiences, showcasing their tremendous support for women’s sports; their vigorous crowd participation including anthems and chants was extraordinary. I’m earnestly waiting to encounter what our Irish supporters will bring this weekend.”
In the past season, Ireland’s team lacked a bit of speed in the absence of Parsons. However, the return of Parsons, together with the appearance of Katie Corrigan, a younger version of Parsons herself, has increased the potency of the team’s attack. Hence the anticipation is that the wingers will face more action against Italy than they did versus France.
Parsons emphasises that the focus will be on minutiae and mindset, which would be their key strategies. While they plan to refine certain elements, they also acknowledge many positive aspects upon which they intend to build.
This Sunday’s game carries great significance. The match against the Les Bleus in Le Mans or against England in Twickenham are high profile but to a certain extent flexible fixtures. The real acid test is their first home match out of three against The Azzurri. This game will play a vital role in mapping Ireland’s route of redemption for last season’s loss and help transcend their previous year’s underperformance.
“We are devoted to being part of a successful Irish side. That’s a goal we frequently discuss. Yes, we suffered a loss against France, and obviously, we’re not pleased with that. We don’t want to just accept defeat. We want to compete at the highest level with these teams.”
The prospect of Italy’s arrival on our turf is not taken lightly. We’re eager to demonstrate a hard-fought, physical performance, exude dominance, and launch our offensive. Our ambitions are set upon securing a victory.
If this Irish squad comes out on top, their dreams of clinching third place in the league, in turn guaranteeing their place in the subsequent World Cup, seem closer to reality.
“It looks like our pathway to the World Cup. We’re absolutely committed to gathering some victories,” it was pointed out.
Béibhinn Parsons
Born: 30th November, 2001, she is presently 22 years old.
Hometown: Ballinasloe, located in County Galway.
Educated at: Ardscoil Mhuire, Ballinasloe.
Affiliated teams: Ballinasloe RFC, Blackrock, Connacht, Ireland Sevens, and Ireland.
She made her Test debut on January 18th, 2018 against the USA.
International appearances (caps): 22
Rugby tries: 14