Ireland v USA
(Tonight, 7.15pm, Live on RTÉ Player)
It has been a really fractious week for women's rugby in Ireland.
I don’t think it has reflected very well on the IRFU.
When your director of rugby, Anthony Eddy, has to come out and apologise to the Irish captain… There are two reviews going on, into Ireland’s failure to qualify for the World Cup and the structure of the game.
So there’s an awful lot happening and for the Irish women, they will just be thrilled to have the game tonight and try to put the qualification failure for the next World Cup in Parma behind them.
Just get back onto the field doing what they do best.
Ireland v New Zealand
(Saturday, 3,15pm, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player)
I'm looking forward to seeing Ireland. We saw evidence of a new style last week. There’s only one change in the team so really interested to see how we go up front.
It has been a long period for New Zealand. They’ve played 13 tests since 3 July, they’re now on their 12th week away from home and a bubble in Australia. They then went to America.
There were signs of wear and tear against Italy but they are, as always, the number-one ranked team in the two years before the World Cup.
That hasn’t meant a whole lot in the tournament itself but they’re an outstanding side.
The bottom line is that they have averaged 35 points a game against tier-one opposition. If you want to beat them, firstly you’ve got to play, secondly your defence has to really stress them and your kicking game has to be spot on.
We saw 50,000 people in the Aviva last night for the soccer team. It’s the first time it’s going to be full since the start of the pandemic.
There’s always a buzz when New Zealand come to town so I can’t wait for this one.
Donal Lenihan was speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland.
Follow Ireland v New Zealand via our liveblog on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app, watch live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player or listen to national radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport
