Women’s Rugby World Cup: Patience pays off for Ireland prop Niamh O’Dowd

Ireland prop Niamh O’Dowd said that she felt her chance to start for her country “was never going to come”.

O’Dowd has won 15 caps for Ireland but had to bide her time to establish herself in the front row alongside Linda Djougang and Neve Jones.

She impressed in the WXV1 series and then made her first Six Nations start this year against France after being involved in the squads in 2023 and 2024 without getting on the pitch.

After a try-scoring performance in Saturday’s win over Scotland, she is now preparing for a first World Cup with Ireland, who will take on Japan, Spain and New Zealand in Pool C.

“It felt like I was never going to get my chance but when I eventually did, I had to take it with both hands and hold onto it, it timed well with the cycle when I started to get opportunities,” she told BBC Sport NI.

“I did spend a lot of time on the bench or as a reserve, but looking back, not that I don’t regret any of it, but I learnt a lot in that time without the pressure of starting and it was a time for me to get my skills up to scratch.

“I also learnt about not taking anything for granted and to work hard so I know now I’ve earned everything.”

Ireland have finished third in the last two Women’s Six Nations, an improvement on finishing bottom of the table in 2023.

And O’Dowd is proud of the progress made under Scott Bemand after a difficult period.

“My first Six Nations in 2023 was a very tough time for the group, we weren’t getting the results we wanted, and it was tough to watch the girls,” she added.

“Now we have been on an upward trajectory and we’re on the right path and are constantly improving.”

Watch Ireland’s final warm-up game against Canada in Belfast on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website on Saturday 9 August at 12:00 BST.