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After beating Wales by a combined 57 points in the last two Women’s Six Nations, Ireland may be favorites for Saturday’s game in Belfast, but Aoife Dalton has a good reason to give the Welsh nothing but her full focus.
Dalton’s Six Nations debut in 2023 saw Ireland beat 31-5 in Cardiff.
Because of games like these, Dalton said there was no chance of Ireland falling into the “trap of complacency”.
Now 23 and established as Ireland’s first-choice outside centre, Dalton admits he fears for his international career after a difficult 2023 tournament in which Ireland lost five matches.
“I’ve had a lot of ups and downs. It was a terrible Six Nations, I didn’t think I’d play for Ireland again after that,” he said.
“The next year I was on the bench but I just tried to step up and develop my game. The coaches and the girls facilitated that. The positions I play, there’s a lot of depth across the 12s and 13s so everyone is kept on their toes.”
Dalton made his international debut in 2022 and was voted Player of the Year by his peers at last year’s Rugby Player of Ireland Awards.
He also started all four of Ireland’s World Cup games in England last year with his influence on the Irish side continuing to grow after making his World Cup debut in the tournament’s opening game in their 42-14 win over Japan.
“People can look in from the outside and think it’s easy but it definitely comes with its ups and downs.
“I think everyone goes through it and it’s a different journey for everyone. I don’t think anyone is safe from being put on the bench or out of the 23.
“I’ve just learned the best way around it is to focus on yourself and try not to let any outside factors get into your head.”
Victory over Italy followed both sides with defeats to England and France, with Ireland aiming to close the campaign with home wins against Wales and Scotland.
But Dalton insists the Welsh will bring confidence to Belfast after scoring four tries against world champions England last time out.
“I’m sure it gave them a huge lift and once they get their rolling stools going, they’re hard to stop.
“But we’re trying to keep our performance up there and control what we can.”
