Georgia Evans is still hurting from the last time Wales played Ireland in the Six Nations, when they were beaten 36-5 in Cork.
It was a painful experience for the Welsh team who will be seeking not only a first win in this season’s Guinness Six Nations at Rondey Parade in Round 4 on Easter Sunday (kick-off 3.00pm), but also only their second win in the last 13 championship encounters between the two countries.
Evans has been a revelation for club and country this season – she helped Saracens to reach the PWR Final once again in 2025 – and for new Wales head coach Sean Lynn she has done a great job in adapting to play at No 8.
“We were very much humbled last year in Cork, it wasn’t what we expected at all,” said Evans.
“It still sits in a lot of our heads, a lot of us were involved in that game. I think it is time to give them one back and they’re coming to our home patch, so what better place.
“We’ve been given a licence to go out and play and it’s exciting. We’ve shown in patches that we can attack really well, we’ve shown that we can score, we’ve shown that we can defend for a long period of time.
“But this weekend we want to put it all together and we want to make sure that that performance is 80 minutes, consistent and fun to watch.
“Every single individual knows their job, their role, but also is not afraid to take the shackles off and do what they’re good at.”
Although she openly admits to not expecting to play in the back row in the championship, expecting instead to be in the second row, Evans is just happy to pull on the shirt and help her team wherever she is required. Lynn has certainly got the best out of her to date in this championship with the 28-year-old making 55 tackles and 33 carries to date.
“I’ve made it quite known that second row is probably not my preferred position, but I am happy with whatever number is on my back,” she added.
“At the start of the tournament I didn’t have any expectations of starting in the back row. We’ve got a got a world-class back row that challenges each other every day, so to be blessed with that shirt and to be trusted with it by Lynny is really pleasing.
“He’s given me the freedom to run with it, enjoy it and get the best out of myself. I’ve played in many games this season, but I still feel great, still feel ready to go and I’m quite sad that there’s only two games left.
“Defensively I can make a lot of tackles, but I still want to get better, I still want to be more dominant, and I still want to be an opposing threat across the pitch.
“I know that my energy keeps me going until the 80th minute, but I want to make sure that I’m a threat from minute zero to 80.”