Scott Bemand says he has full confidence in his leadership group after Ireland came under criticism following their Guinness Women's Six Nations defeat to Italy.
The new head coach dropped one of his co-captains, Edel McMahon, from the matchday squad for the game at the weekend, during which they enjoyed more possession and territory than their opponents.
In addition, the experienced Hannah O’Connor missed out, while they were able to welcome back the other co-captain, Sam Monaghan.
Former Ireland internationals Fiona Coghlan, the 2013 Grand Slam captain, and Lindsay Peat were on co-commentary and analysis duty for the game for RTÉ Sport.
They questioned some of the on-field decision-making, in particular turning down a straightforward shot at goal when they were leading 7-5 after half an hour.
Peat claimed the team looked "rudderless".
Ireland 21-27 Italy
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 31, 2024
Lindsay Peat feels Ireland would have been flattered to get away with a win against Italy and feels a lack of experience in the team selection cost the hosts#GuinnessW6N pic.twitter.com/TXWMt0JIAR
"It’s always interesting what people on the sideline say [about] lack of leadership on the pitch when they are outside of the circle," said the 45-year-old Englishman.
"We’ve got some unbelievable leaders in our group and, look, the game looks different now to what it used to.
"We have strategy groups, we have co-captains, they are unbelievable leaders. So how quickly these girls are developing, they are already at a level, which is way beyond their years.
"They are going to keep developing experiences but as a group we absolutely buy into them and I wouldn’t want any other people in those groups."
Centre Eve Higgins, who along with Béibhinn Parsons and Aoibheann Reilly, changed over to the 15s programme for last year’s WXV3 campaign and remain part of the Six Nations squad, says she’s comfortable in stepping up and speaking out when she feels the need.
"Going back to WXV, from the moment the group was together, myself, Béi and Aoibheann were, from day one, with the group so there was no difference with anyone speaking up," she said.
"Although I have more caps with Sevens than I do in 15s, it’s still international appearances and experience. I think I can bring certain things in to [matches] and training."
Bemand says he expects to be able to pick from a fully fit squad for their clash with Wales in Cork on Saturday week, while Katie Heffernan is part of the Sevens squad on duty in Hong Kong for the coming weekend.
Full-back Lauren Delany (below) was stretchered off in the loss to Italy but should be available.
"Lauren picked up a bit of a bang, but like we reported straight after the game, she was on her feet back in the changing room," he said.
"She may take a couple of extra days. Other than that, we’re two hard games in and we’re in pretty good health as a group."
Ireland are still waiting on a first championship win since the last game of the 2022 Six Nations – a last-gasp victory over Scotland in Belfast.
Bemand, whose flanker Aoife Wafer (above) was named Six Nations player of the round, says he believes the side is closing in on their first success.
He said: "We won’t shy away from talking about winning, we’re really comfortable with that. Going away to France was always going to be a tough start but we saw, as the media framed it, green shoots.
"We saw emergence of character, resilience, togetherness and as we got to Italy we produced a performance that ordinarily would probably have produced a win.
"We didn’t manage to get over the line but we’ll keep going after the confidence, keep going after the stuff we did well.
"We’re pretty certain that those wins aren’t too far away."
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Watch Leinster v Leicester Tigers in the Investec Champions Cup on Saturday from 7.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to updates on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
