Larissa at Ulster training during the week.
The FRONT ROW UNION caught up with rising Ireland star Larissa Muldoon at an Ulster Training Camp this week. Ulster have been keen to get the youngster involved in the provincial set up after her impressive performances in the recent RBS Women’s Six Nations.
Ireland won their opening match against Italy away before a narrow defeat to France at Ashbourne in a highly entertaining match. The “Girls in Green” bounced back with a win on the road against Scotland but after a disappointing loss to Wales the Irish team were determined to put in a good performance at home against England.
We last spoke to Larissa after her appearance against France and she went on to appear in the remainder of Ireland’s games culminating with her first start for Ireland in the final game of the series against England.
Larissa, after your good showing against France did you hope to get more time on the pitch against Scotland? How did the game go?
Looking back I was of course hoping to get more game time as I really enjoyed playing against the French, and you learn something new from every different game experience.
We had a week turn around after the French game and we didn’t have training before the Scottish game but the girls and the coaches seemed happy with the win, however I think we would all say the first half was not at the standard we wanted to play but we stepped it up a level in second half.
As you are currently studying and playing in Wales did your next match against the Welsh have an extra edge?
Personally I had a lot to prove in this game in particular as I have played with most of the Welsh girls through university in Wales and also in their Regional rugby, so there was a bit of rivalry to say the least. My own goals were to work on how to control game more and on my passing skills.
It was a big knock to lose that one to be honest, especially with it being so close. It really was anyone’s game for the taking. We always knew it would be hard to beat the Welsh at home, knowing how well they played against the English. It was gutting overall, but we just had to learn from our mistakes and bring that into the next big game, England at home!
It’s very hard to pin point the loss to a specific area of weakness, and it could be brought in that once again we didn’t have a training weekend after the Scottish game which was quite disappointing. The game was very close towards the end and I guess the Welsh just took the points when they got their chance. It was a learning curve for us all this year and I feel we have all grown as players and as friends from the very first training session to the very last game, I personally feel we have come a long way.
After the Welsh game you then got called up into the stating line up for the final game against England. How did that feel?
I found out I would be starting the following Tuesday, the 15th. I genuinely have never been so shocked in my whole life, I got the email on my way up to College and had to re read it thinking there was a mistake!! I felt I had given it my all when I came on in the games, and I did definitely learn and improve from each game, but I never imagined a starting shirt against the English, it was a privilege.
Any more nerves than normal or just another game?
The build up for this game in particular was very nerve-racking, first start at the age of 20, playing for your Country, and playing against the best players in the World, who wouldn’t be nervous?!
However the support of all the Irish girls was unreal and a good friend told me to get excited about the game, not nervous, so that’s what I planned to do!
The feeling was unimaginable, like to actually be handed that Number 9 Jersey was a dream come true and I just didn’t want to let any of the girls or management down as I was the youngest and quite inexperienced compared to most of the surrounding players. The step up was massive, but for me personally I think to be the best you have to play the best, and that opportunity doesn’t come around often so I was just so lucky.
How did you feel about your personal performance in the match?
Personally, I really enjoyed the game and felt I did my job as much as possible, mistakes of course will happen but you just have to pick your head up and get back in to things. Yes, we defended for most of the game but we also had our opportunities too.
How did the team feel about their performance during the Six Nations? Pleased or disappointed?
Pleased overall I would say, yes we lost games, but as I said before it was such a new squad with new players coming through, and the lack of training sessions between games didn’t help. I personally think we have come a long way as players and a lot of new friendships have been made. It is without doubt a great environment to be involved in and I can’t thank the coaches and players enough for all the help.
Larissa has another year at college in Wales but we are pleased to report she will be training and playing with the Ulster Women’s squad throughout next season. 
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