Ireland job gives Steenson 'a resurgence of energy'

Ireland kicking coach Gareth Steenson said the women's squad have given him a "release of life" ahead of the side's Six Nations campaign.

Scott Bemand's outfit open their campaign at the Allianz Stadium against England with over 67,000 tickets sold for the match, which is a tournament record.

Ireland will be aiming to build on the consistency they have shown in the past two editions of the championship, having finished third in 2024 and 2025, and put the heartbreak of their quarter-final World Cup exit to France behind them.

"The squad that has just been selected for the Six Nations, you look at it and think 'this squad is going to be about for the next World Cup'" Steenson told the Ireland Rugby Social.

"In theory, there are a couple who might not be there but from a point of view of age, wanting to get better and to learn, it is so enthusiastic to be around. I feel a resurgence of energy.

"They have given me a release of life. The best thing was, I didn't have any baggage coming in and I see it for what it is."

Former fly-half Steenson won the English Premiership twice and a European Cup during his 12-year spell at Exeter Chiefs and joined Ireland's coaching staff in 2024.

Despite facing the reigning Grand Slam and world champions England, who have won seven straight Six Nations titles and haven't lost since 2018, Steenson is content with Ireland's first fixture.

"I think the most important thing is we go over there and fire shots. If ever there was a template - the men. What the men did in the Six Nations is exactly what we want to do," he continued.

I think it is a great way for us to start the tournament, I really do. It is an opportunity [to see] where England's heads are at. The last time they played was a World Cup final. Is it going to be a homecoming for them? Maybe.

"For our girls, this is why you play the game, this is why I played the game, to play in these big days."

'It's all about progression' for Ireland

There are nine uncapped players in this Women's Six Nations squad with flanker Erin King named as captain following winger Amee-Leigh Costigan announcing her pregnancy with twins.

Costigan, who was captain in Ireland's two defeats in last year's tournament, scored two tries during their World Cup campaign and is a big loss for the side.

"The ability they [the Ireland squad] have is great, it is just tapping it and hopefully adding to their rugby knowledge is where I can have an influence.

"We are fortunate that a lot of our forwards are playing in the PWR [Premiership Women's Rugby] currently, so those girls are getting exposed to playing a lot of high qualities girls.

"A lot of our backs are in the Celtic Challenge, playing some good rugby and scoring tries."

After their opening fixture against England, Ireland host Italy in Galway on 18 April before facing France seven days later at Stade Marcel-Michelin.

Ireland then finish the Six Nations with home games against Wales in Belfast and Scotland Dublin on 9 and 17 May.

"Ultimately we have to look at three home games and three home wins. That will be progression on what happened last year with two wins.

"It is all about progression and going forward we want to go over and put our best foot forward against England.

"To give you an Exeter Chiefs analogy, we have to go over and be better for the experience. We will be better no matter what happens, we will have played in front of 80,000 and the World Champions."

'Timing wasn't right' for Steenson to play for Ulster

Image caption,

Steenson played for Exter Chiefs for 12 years

During the podcast, Steenson also talks about his playing career, during which he played for Ireland's U19 and U21 sides, and is Exeter's all-time leading points scorer.

Despite all that he has achieved, the former fly-half admitted that he wishes he could have played for his home province, Ulster.

"The time I came in, David Humphreys had a year left in his contract, Paddy Wallace was still playing at that point, and Adam Larkin was another 10 they had. Most teams have three 10s and I probably came in a year or two on the wrong side.

"When I went to Rotherham all I wanted to do was to come back [to Belfast]. We ended up four points off winning promotion that year and I remember ringing up and saying, 'what is the chance, has David retired?' 'He has retired, any chance as I have been playing now any chance on coming back?'

"However, Niall O'Connor had come back. It is just timing and the timing wasn't right for me."

Steenson also discussed the strength and depth that men's head coach Andy Farrell has to pick from in his former position after his side finished second in this year's Six Nations.

"We are very fortunate with the 10s we have in Ireland currently.

"There are probably four or five lads currently. [Harry] Bryne, [Ciaran] Frawley, Sam [Prendergast] and Jack [Crowley] are options in the position.

"Jack Murphy is playing some good rugby at Ulster, but he is very, very new to his development."