'I'd been imagining pulling on that green jersey since I was nine'
Higgins’ development as a rugby player continued soon after the World Cup in July, as she jetted off to Australia for a two-month development placement with Bond University alongside fellow Ireland Sevens player Kathy Baker.
The placement allowed the Irish pair to star in the Aon University 7s, which proved to be a valuable experience – particularly given the speed and skill level of the competition in Australia.
“Stacey, Claire Boles and Katie Heffernan had done it last year and were saying how amazing it was,” says Higgins, who is a second-year student of History and Sociology at UCD.
“They have a good few Australian development girls playing and the standard of rugby was very good.