Ireland Women’s record caps holder Lynne Cantwell insists her side are still capable of defending their Women’s Six Nations crown despite defeat to England at Twickenham on Saturday.
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Cantwell and co suffered their first Six Nations defeat since March 2012 and as a result saw their hopes of back-to-back Grand Slams ended by England’s 17-10 triumph.
France are now in pole position, having made it three wins from three with a 27-0 victory in Wales but Ireland, England – who before last year won seven title in a row – and Italy are all in hot pursuit with four points from their three matches.
After a rest week, Ireland host Italy and victory could set up a crucial showdown with France in Pau on March 14.
And while centre Cantwell, who won her 81st cap at Twickenham, was left to rue what might have been against England, she is convinced Ireland can bounce back to claim another Six Nations title.
“Yes, we gave it everything, yes, we put our bodies on the line but that’s in our DNA, that’s what we do,” she said.
“We had it in our hands to execute a few more things and attack to put more scores on the board.
“I’m really, really disappointed with that result, even though there are silver linings. I’m just really disappointed.
“We won the Grand Slam last year and that’s money in the bank, an incredible achievement. But I don’t think you’d be a competitive person if you didn’t expect to build on that.
“You don’t just stop there, there’s more in us. We still have more in the tank and that’s what we need to keep on striving towards. The Six Nations is still within our reach and that’s what we’re going for.”
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