Women in Sport: Chloe Pearse, Munster Rugby

Second-Rower, Chloe Pearse, was one of Munster's main players throughout their Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her club and province.

How did you get into your chosen sport ?

I had been playing soccer for years growing up - I hadn't really thought about rugby until St Marys RFC set up a girls' team and a girl I went to school with, Shauna Nunan, and she asked me to come down as her Mom and Dad had started the team. I was nervous as it was such a change but she convinced me in school and I went down one night on a Wednesday, played a match on the Saturday and never looked back! I was hooked from the minute I stepped on the pitch. Sharon and Eugene were a big part of me ever playing rugby and I love the fact I still play with their daughter Stephanie with club and province and get to see them so often.

Who was your sporting hero growing up and your sporting hero now?

Growing up I wanted to be like (and thought) I was Ronan O'Gara! I loved the standards he had set and all he achieved in green and red. Paul O'Connell was always up there too - the passion and ferocity he brought to each game really inspired me. Now, I've always and will always love Peter O'Mahony - he has been written off for Ireland more times than he has caps and each year he proves them all wrong - he is definitely one of my sporting heroes! He presented our jerseys for a Six Nations game in Cork and I honestly nearly passed out when he walked in.

Normal day before a game?

I pretty much keep my routine as similar as possible, whether that's work on a Friday or if it's a Sunday game I'll just chill out and go for a walk and relax but I wouldn't change much ... Bar the excuse of a carb load!

What is the most memorable moment in your career so far?

I think when we won the Inter-pro's with Munster in 2021 up in Donnybrook it was pretty special! It was the first tournament after Covid and I had been involved with Ireland prior to the World Cup Qualifiers for the summer but unfortunately wasn't selected. A week later I was back in provincial training and loved every minute of that campaign.

What would you change in your sport today to help women?

Equal opportunities. The opportunity for girls to show up to training whatever their sport is and know that they will receive the same treatment and respect that any boys' team will receive.

What is an important lesson you have learnt in your sport?

That friendship and teamwork will trump winning every day of the week. When you mix the two together, it's special.

What is the best advice you would give to someone?

It's cringy but hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.