Ireland Women Face Toughest Foe in Unbeaten Neighbours England

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Byline: Liam Heagney

IT'S TEST rugby with a stark difference. England take on Ireland again today in the Six Nations but unlike yesterday's stellar occasion at Twickenham where 82,000 gathered for a men's game, this afternoon's Anglo-Irish women's clash goes ahead minus ceremony.

While rugby is a full-time job for the likes of O'Driscoll and O'Connell, Ireland's women - whose varied occupations include teaching, aircraft mechanic, doctor, garda and even a GAA development officer - fit in their rugby when possible.

A case study is Joanne O'Sullivan, the Kent-born Ireland back with Limerick parents. 'Manic' is how she describes the juggling of precious time. …