Alisha Butchers admitted that Wales felt the pressure coming into their Championship opener in Ireland after she was named TikTok Women’s Six Nations Player of the Match in the comeback win in Dublin.
Butchers is one of 12 players to have been given a full-time contract by the WRU in a big step from the union in January.
With that progress came expectation and Wales certainly delivered as they came from 19-10 down to win 27-19 against Ireland, securing the maximum five points from the RDS.
Butchers said: “We felt a little bit more pressure today, rightly so. I’m lucky enough to have a full-time contract so I can put all my energy into this now. I feel super lucky to be part of this squad and we showed a performance out there today so I’m ecstatic.
“The growth in the last 12 months has been incredible. Coming away to Dublin with a big home crowd and a tough Irish team, I think we’ve done ourselves proud and I think we can go away and reflect and grow from this performance.”
A year ago, Ireland had beaten Wales 45-0 in the reverse fixture but the game in Dublin was much more competitive from the off.
Tries from Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe and Linda Djougang allowed Ireland to go in 14-5 up at the break, Carys Phillips having crossed for Wales.
Jaz Joyce hit back for the visitors but Stacey Flood settled Irish nerves with their third try.
Wales finished much the stronger however, Donna Rose crossing twice, the second coming seven minutes from time to take the lead before Hannah Jones sealed the win in the final minute. And that ability to finish stronger has been a key focus for Wales coming into the Championship.
Butchers added: “It’s something we have been working on a lot, our second-half performances. Throughout the autumn, we felt like we dropped off a bit so today we wanted to come out and prove everything we have been working on over the last four moments and come to Dublin to get a result.”
