Aston relishing Ireland’s European challenge

Ireland coach Mark Aston believes his squad are ready to build on their fine showing in last year’s European Championship.

The Wolfhounds came within a try of winning the tournament last year, before eventually losing out to Scotland on poitns difference for the title.

They arguably face a stiffer challenge this time around, with two away games, against France in Albi and Scotland in Galashiels, but Aston insists that his men are ready for the challenge.

“The excitement around the Ireland squad for the 2015 European Championship is growing,” he said.

“The senior players are already speaking about building on the successful 2014 tournament in which we went very close to winning.

“When you talk about every minute mattering, that was certainly the case last year as we could have won on the last play of the final game.

“We had great wins against France and Wales which gives us something to build on and there are encouraging developments taking place in the domestic game in Ireland which should give us a bigger pool to select from.”