Alex Codling switches focus from Munster to Ireland for Women's Six Nations
FULLY FOCUSED: Alex Codling was seconded to Munster following the departure of Andi Kyriacou but he is now concentrating on his role with the Irish women's team. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Munster’s interim forwards coach Alex Codling will play a key role in prepping the Ireland women’s team for their Six Nations opener against a physically imposing French team in Belfast this Saturday.
The experienced Codling, who joined the women’s staff as a full-time IRFU employee last year, was supplemented onto the Munster staff on a temporary basis when Andi Kyriacou followed Graham Rowntree out the door last October.
The 51-year-old is still doing some work with Munster in what is a dual role but will be with the women's squad for the duration of the Championship as they look to build on an improved third-placed finish in 2024 and a brilliant runners-up spot in the elite WXV1s in the autumn.
“He’s with us full-time, yeah,” said Ireland defence coach Hugh Hogan. “As far as I know, he’s still liaising with Munster and supporting what they’re doing at the moment, but he’s committed to this programme.
“As far as I understand that was the agreement dating back to when he started working with Munster, that he would be fully focused on this at this stage.”
Codling, who worked in the past with Newcastle Falcons, Harlequins, Oyonnax and the England men’s team, has made a big impression on the Munster forwards since his first involvement with experienced forward Niall Scannell waxing lyrical about his input.
Scannell described a bubbly, energetic character with an enormous bank of knowledge and layers of detail, not least in terms of the lineout. Invigorating was the word he used.
And Hogan has no concerns that Codling’s in-tray at Munster might have impinged on his ability to prepare Scott Bemand’s national side for the campaign to come.
“No, not at all. The forwards walked off the pitch five minutes ago from a lineout session with Alex. He’s incredibly knowledgeable, probably immensely passionate and he’s delivered a really quality product with this group. That’s adding layers as well as we go through.”
Ireland are without co-captain and second row Sam Monaghan for the tournament as she recovers from a knee problem. The plan is that she will be fit to take a full part in preparations for the World Cup in England in late summer.
Winger Beibhinn Parsons, who broke a leg playing sevens in early December, is back on the training pitch but not yet ready to feature. She should make an appearance later in the Six Nations though.
The versatile Stacey Flood is good to go as of now, having recovered from an ankle injury suffered in the Celtic Challenge, while hooker Cliodhna Moloney should be ready for Saturday’s start too after calf issues.
Ireland haven’t beaten the French since a three-point win in Donnybrook eight years ago but the visitors this weekend finished three places below Bemand’s side in that WXV1 in Canada five months ago. Expectations have been raised.
“Our expectation is that we’ll challenge France,” said Hogan. ”And like any high-quality Test match, for me it comes down to moments. There’s big moments in games and when you can win some of those moments you put them in the bank. If you lose some of them they may cost you or they may hurt you points.
“What we expect on the weekend is a strong challenge from France but we’ll go out to put out a strong Irish performance as well. I’d love to tell you, ‘yeah we’re definitely going to win’ but the reality is it's going to come down to moments. If we can put more in the win column then we’ll be in a great shout of winning the game.”
