The Breakdown | Erin King looks to lift Ireland: ‘It was tough some days to keep showing up’

King carries the ball forward during training. Photograph: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile/Getty Images

King returned to the pitch in January for Wolfhounds and her form has picked up right where she left off. Her first international game back was against England at Twickenham earlier this month when she scored a try on her return. The match was also her first as the Ireland captain after her selection was announced in January.

Ireland lost but narrowed the gap against the Red Roses and defeated Italy on Saturday. Now the team are gearing up to avenge the controversial World Cup quarter-final defeat by France last year. King was in the stands for the match and says she was “gutted” for the girls, believing they deserved to win after going 13-0 up only for France to mount a comeback to triumph 18-13. The controversy arose as Aoife Wafer was bitten by the France player Axelle Berthoumieu, but it was not caught by officials. She was subsequently banned for nine matches.

“We are quite excited to right some of those wrongs and get out some of those frustrations,” King says. “No matter who the opposition is, we are going out to win that game. I do think it probably adds a bit of venom, the fact that we lost that quarter-final. It makes the game more interesting, the fact that it was so close and all of the drama in that game comes along with it.

“I would say we are really excited to go. I think we have confidence now from last weekend and I am really excited to go over to France. It is going to be a tough challenge but it’s one we are embracing.”

If Ireland overcome France it would put them in title contention. England are favourites to retain the trophy but, if they were to slip, Ireland could take the title for the first time since 2015. King says the team are targeting the top two, with 2017 the last time Ireland finished above third. “If you look back a few years ago there were a few Six Nations there that we did really struggle. It was like: ‘Will this ever end? Will we ever overcome this?’ Over the past few years we have really shown that we can compete with the best in the world. Something we talk about is competing with that top four, there is a gap there but I think we are closing it.

“To break into the top two of the Six Nations is a big goal of ours and something that may be a little bit high to go for, but I really do believe we have the talent, pride and passion in the squad to get over the line.”

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