A woman who began her rugby career with Enfield Ignatians has been selected for the Ireland squad competing in next month’s Women’s Six Nations, writes Jonathan Landi

Niamh Gallagher pictured centre (credit Irish Rugby Football Union) — Niamh Gallagher (centre) representing Ireland’s under-20s team (credit Irish Rugby Football Union)

The journey of Niamh Gallagher continues its spectacular ascent, having catapulted her from her local rugby roots in Enfield to being on the verge of a full international cap for Ireland.

The utility back was one of nine uncapped players drafted into the Emerald Isle’s 36-strong Women’s Six Nations squad ahead of the away opener against the defending champions, England, on Saturday, 11th April.

Reacting to her inclusion, Niamh said: “It’s simply great news although I’ve always taken the view that if it happened, it happened. We have a further three-day training camp planned on 31st March in the run-up to the opener against England.”

Niamh’s progress has been spectacular and her promotion to the full Irish squad is also the reflection of some impressive form shown for her club, the Ealing-based Trailfinders, at the highest level, and for this read the Women’s Premiership.

The competitive Trailfinders’ environment – they’re currently battling for a place in the play-offs and currently sitting fourth in a tight league – has clearly enabled the utility back to flourish by taking another step up the rugby ladder.

Her display at fullback on Friday (20th) was a case in point, as her ability to pot all three conversions was instrumental in Trailfinders getting one over an Ellie Kildunne-laden Harlequins following a 21-17 win under lights at the Stoop.

She added: “I’ve also scooped two player of the match awards – on both occasions when we were up against the Leicester Tigers.”

Niamh has also proved herself something of a firefighter, having rescued her team after successfully potting a conversion, with 90-seconds remaining, in the 26-26 draw against Bristol in February.

Having first got her first taste of the rugby ball as part of St Edmunds Catholic Primary School, she transitioned to Enfield Tigers – the girls’ rugby wing of Enfield Ignatians – before being capped at county level for Middlesex.

Her rugby journey has also taken in the Wasps Centre of Excellence, the Thames Valley Centre of Excellence, Saracens U18s and Ireland U20s, having sported the Irish green in the 2024 Six Nations U20s Championship in Italy.

Currently studying for a sports and exercise science degree at Brunel University, the level-headed but fiercely determined Niamh has excelled in every rugby challenge so far, and it will be fascinating to monitor her progress in the weeks ahead.

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