After overcoming a debilitating injury, the Ireland captain is relishing the prospect of a grudge match against France
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welve months ago Erin King was not only told she may never play rugby again but faced the possibility of being unable to even run. Fast forward to now and the 22-year-old is ready to lead Ireland in their revenge mission against France this Saturday after their rivals knocked them out of last year’s Rugby World Cup in King’s absence.
King, who transitioned from sevens rugby after the 2024 Olympics, had sustained a serious knee injury against England at the 2025 Six Nations which ruled her out of the global showpiece. It was a blow for Ireland’s campaign with the back row going from strength-to-strength in the 15s game. In 2024 she had been named the World Rugby breakthrough player of the year after standout performances that included scoring two tries in the team’s historic win over New Zealand at the WXV tournament.
Just as her career was taking off, it all came crashing down in Ireland’s 49-5 loss to the Red Roses in Cork. “I don’t think I realised at the time the extent of the injury, I don’t think they told me fully,” King says. “Then I met the surgeon and physios who were coming up with a plan because it was quite a unique injury, there were a few different options. It was really tough.
