Ireland Kicking Coach Feels Energized Ahead of Women's Six Nations Championship

Ireland kicking coach Gareth Steenson is experiencing a professional renaissance as the women's national team prepares for their Six Nations campaign opener against world champions England this Saturday.

Speaking candidly about his role with Scott Bemand's squad, Steenson revealed how working with the current group has reinvigorated his coaching career. "They have given me a release of life," the former Exeter Chiefs fly-half explained. "I feel a resurgence of energy."

The Ireland women face their toughest possible start to the tournament, traveling to London's Allianz Stadium to take on an England side that has dominated the championship for seven consecutive years. With over 67,000 tickets sold, the match has already set a tournament attendance record.

Despite the daunting challenge, Steenson believes the squad is uniquely positioned for success. The team features nine uncapped players, yet the coach sees this youth as a strength rather than a weakness. "The squad that has just been selected for the Six Nations, you look at it and think 'this squad is going to be about for the next World Cup,'" he observed.

Steenson's optimism stems from what he sees as an exceptional learning environment within the group. "From a point of view of age, wanting to get better and to learn, it is so enthusiastic to be around," he noted. The former professional player, who won two English Premiership titles and a European Cup during his decorated 12-year stint with Exeter Chiefs, joined Ireland's coaching setup in 2024.

The timing of his appointment has proven fortuitous. Steenson arrived without preconceptions about the program, allowing him to assess the squad with fresh eyes. "The best thing was, I didn't have any baggage coming in and I see it for what it is," he explained.

Ireland enters the Six Nations looking to build on recent progress. The team finished third in both the 2024 and 2025 tournaments, demonstrating consistent improvement under Bemand's leadership. However, they're still working to overcome the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final exit to France.

Leadership changes have marked this campaign, with flanker Erin King named captain following Amee-Leigh Costigan's announcement that she's expecting twins. Costigan, who scored two tries during Ireland's World Cup campaign, represents a significant loss for the squad.

Steenson draws confidence from the quality of opposition his players face regularly. "We are fortunate that a lot of our forwards are playing in the PWR currently, so those girls are getting exposed to playing a lot of high quality girls," he explained, referring to the Premiership Women's Rugby.

The coach has set clear targets for the tournament. "Ultimately we have to look at three home games and three home wins. That will be progression on what happened last year with two wins," Steenson stated.

Using an analogy from his playing days, Steenson emphasized the value of the England experience regardless of the result. "To give you an Exeter Chiefs analogy, we have to go over and be better for the experience. We will be better no matter what happens, we will have played in front of 80,000 and the world champions."

Following their London opener, Ireland returns home to face Italy in Galway on April 18, before traveling to France for a crucial encounter with Les Bleues seven days later. The campaign concludes with home fixtures against Wales in Belfast and Scotland in Dublin during May.

For Steenson, the journey represents more than tactical preparation—it's about inspiring a generation of players to reach their potential on rugby's biggest stage.