A FRYDAY FEELING OF SERENITY
BY
FORMER Ireland skipper Nichola Fryday insists she has no regrets about hanging up her Test boots at the age of 28.
Fryday, who picked up the Rugby Writers of Ireland Women’s Player of the Year award last night, is still playing top level club rugby in England.
The Offaly-born second row will line out for second-placed Exeter Chiefs against Premiership Women’s Rugby league leaders Saracens on Saturday but has no desire to make a return at international level.
“Any player is worried about that first tournament where you’re not there,” she said, in relation to Ireland’s involvement in the recent WXV3 competition.
“But I felt content and that I had made the right decision in my retirement and I am in a good place to know that I have given everything I can give to it.
“When the girls went off I was excited for them and really wanted them to do well.”
Fryday, who has 34 caps, was appointed skipper ahead of the 2022 Six Nations but called Test rugby a day in July.
She explained: “I do have career goals that I want to push on with now.
“Everything outside of rugby as well, all those years of not making weddings or birthdays or your family side of things.
“There comes a time when you want to put your focus back on those things.
“And it may be a bit selfish because I am still quite early in my playing career.
“But I feel I have given everything that I could to Ireland and now it’s about putting the focus back on all the people that supported me throughout those years – and giving everything to them that they gave to me.”