A teacher, a rugby development officer, a special needs assistant, post graduate student and a physiotherapist.

These are just some of the careers of top level Women’s rugby players, I was lucky enough to talk to for a series of articles I wrote for the official Six Nations website http://www.rbs6nations.com.

To help celebrate Ireland reaching the semi-finals of the IRB Women’s World Cup. I have decided to share the links to the six features.

Personally, I found speaking to these six women to be inspiring because not just were they international rugby players but they balanced with full time careers or studies.

The other common thread through out the interviews was the amazing bonds of friendship, camaraderie and sense of loyalty the players felt.

Hopefully the massive amount of coverage garnered for the Girls in Green will help to continue the growth of the sport in Ireland.

Not all these features will link directly with the Women’s World Cup (for example Italy and Scotland did not take part in this tournament) but I think all six interviews show case the unique and inspirational spirit of Women’s rugby.

Six stories from Women’s rugby:

Wales prop Jenny Davies on how a winger helped to inspire her

Wales prop Jenny Davies has been a starter during this Women’s Rugby World Cup

For England’s Sarah Hunter playing rugby is about more than hunting for glory

Sarah Hunter is a key figure for England, at Number 8 she is certainly one to watch out for against Ireland

Scotland’s Lindsey Smith on working hard and playing rugby hard 

Ireland’s Siobhan Fleming on her expected journey to rugby success

Fleming with fellow Munster star, JJ Hanrahan. Both are from the same County Kerry Village – Curow

(Flanker Fleming is a replacement for Ireland today)

Michela Este of Italy on how her rugby career began while studying in Dublin

Out half Sandrine Agricole on France’s winning philosophy

Agricole will be a player to keep an eye out for in France’s World Cup semi-final against Canada