RWC Countdown: Getting To Know Ashling Hutchings

In the build-up to the Ireland Women’s World Cup 2014 this August in France we catch up with squad member and Munster representative Ashling Hutchings.

Ashling took up rugby at her local club, Fermoy RFC at under 16 level before joining UL Bohemian RFC in season 2008/09 while studying Business at the University of Limerick.

An all-round sportswoman, Ashling has won All Ireland League and Cup titles at club level as well as two All Ireland Ladies Football titles with Cork in 2011 and 2012.

Having claimed six caps for Munster speedster Ashling has also represented her country at Women’s Sevens in 2012 and 2013.

Ireland women are placed in Pool B with USA, defending Champions New Zealand and Kazakhstan.

To view fixtures click here.

Getting to know Ashling Hutchings

Date of Birth: 7th January 1990 (age 24).

Club: UL Bohemian RFC.

Profession: Project Manager.

Favourite Food: Lasagne.

Book you are currently reading or have just finished: The Lone Wolf.

Favourite TV programme: Criminal Minds.

Favourite Film: White Chicks.

Favourite Actor/Actress: Sandra Bullock.

Most enjoyable holiday location: Belmullet (Co. Mayo).

Marooned on a desert island what could you not be without: Suncream and someone else to talk to.

Favourite sport other than rugby: Gaelic football.

The sport you least like: Snooker or curling.

Person you would most like to meet: Nelson Mandela.

Sportsperson you admire most: Bethany Hamilton (Surfing).

Hobbies: Socialising, sport, reading.

Where and when did you first play rugby: When I was 16 and an underage team was set up in Fermoy.

Biggest influence on career: UL Bohemians.

Best career advice you were given: Anyone who ever tried and gave their best never regretted it.

Best advice you would give yourself: Difficult doesn’t mean impossible.

What you like most/least about being a rugby player: Most – Hanging out with all of the girls on the team. Least – Injuries.

Other sports that you played: Football, Basketball, Hockey, Athletics.

Best rugby memory: Watching the girls win the Grand Slam live on TV.

Rugby player you admire most: Brian O’ Driscoll.

Rugby team you admire most: New Zealand.

Sporting event you would most like to attend: Olympics.

If you weren't a rugby player what would you be: Unfit and weak!

How would you like to pass away the time on tour in between training: Listening to Ali.

Three people you would invite to dinner and why: Michael McIntyre because he’s hilarious, Jettie (Jeannette Feighery – Ireland Women’s Sevens player) because she’s entertaining all by herself and Martin Luther King so he could tell us all about his dreams!