To the winner the spoils: Niamh Briggs (inset) pictured with the Six Nations Championship trophy. | Main Photo: Noel Browne

We’re beginning to run out of superlatives when it comes to Niamh Briggs. Seriously. Don’t believe me? Well then, it’s time for a quick recap.

We’re talking about the 2013 World Player of the Year, who then followed that up by being nominated for the award again last year.

Two-time Rugby Writers Player of the Year, two-time Park Hotel Waterford Supreme Sports Star (and she’s surely in the running for a third successive win), Grand Slam winner and now, proudly, a Triple Crown and Six Nations Championship-winning captain.

Added to that, the Abbeyside native topped the scoring charts in this year’s Championship
and will remember last Sunday’s 73-3 victory over Scotland, her 50th Irish cap, with particular affection.

“I’m absolutely delighted, thrilled, I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” Niamh told RTE’s Michael Corcoran, after she set the ball rolling when crossing the Broadwood whitewash in the fourth minute. She would end the match with 23 points, a typical day off the kicking tee for the Irish skipper.

“It was important for us to be clinical and make sure our execution was at a professional standard,” Niamh continued, “and once we got into our stride, I don’t think there was any questioning the result; it was just a matter of us, being a bit ruthless and turning the screw…and I think we did that in the second half.”

And turn the screw Ireland did, running in 11 tries in total during Sunday’s Championship-clinching victory, a second title in three years, sandwiched by a fourth place finish in last summer’s World Cup.

“This (3G) surface, on a good sunny day, it’s great for running rugby and we have to play to our strengths, and our pack was absolutely outstanding, and when we had to defend, and we did for periods of time, we were in control and that’s very satisfying too.”

To regain this Championship, to prove the progress of recent years has been sustained and to do so in the wake of several high-profile retirements, and under a new coach in Tom Tierney, must make this success all the more significant.

“A lot of people were talking at the start of the season about those retirements and the change of management, but you know, we want to win games, we want to win Championships and we want to be up there with the best in the world and wanted to really show that 2013 wasn’t a flash in the pan so we’re absolutely thrilled…

“After 2013, I must be honest, I wasn’t sure if we were ever going to get into this position again. It makes you cherish it all the more so, look, 50th cap, what a day, I’m delighted.”

And so she should be. Take a bow, Niamh. You’ve done us proud yet again!

It was another great rugby weekend for Waterford duo Niamh Briggs and Jack O’Donoghue. | Photos: Ken Sutton and Sportsfile

While one established Waterford rugby superstar was captaining her country to Six Nations victory over World Champions England, another outstanding prospect continues to impress in the red of Munster.

Abbeyside’s Niamh Briggs kicked Ireland’s winning penalty four minutes from time in Ashbourne last Friday as the Irish women saw off another World Cup holder, recording only their second ever victory over England in so doing.

Twenty-four hours later, Woodstown native and Waterpark RFC alumnus Jack O’Donoghue scored his third try in three successive outings as Munster’s post Champions Cup recovery continued with a 22-10 win over Glasgow at Musgrave Park.

A season-ending injury to fellow number eight Robin Copeland has propelled O’Donoghue up Anthony Foley’s pecking order, and there’s been no denying the Munster ‘A’ captain’s impact since graduating to the matchday 23.

Tries against Cardiff, the Scarlets and Glasgow have earned the former Munster and Ireland Under-20 skipper several merited headlines, and illustrates the faith those in the know have in Jack’s abilities.

It was another great rugby weekend for Waterford duo Niamh Briggs and Jack O’Donoghue. | Photos: Ken Sutton and Sportsfile

And when you consider that ‘Jacko’ made his Munster ‘A’ debut at the age of 18, it’s clear that a great deal of faith and confidence has been invested in his precocious talent, underlined by the three-year contract he recently signed with the province.

And it’s even clearer that such faith is being rewarded by the quality of O’Donoghue’s performances and his eye for the try-line!

Having turned 21 in February, Jack looks set to feature in quite a few more matchday squads between now and the end of a season, with Munster determined to wrestle the Pro 12 title from Leinster’s grasp.

“It is always rewarding when securing up and coming home-grown talent such as (Jack) O’Donoghue, and is a testament to what we have to offer here in Munster,” said Head Coach Anthony Foley.

“We have guys that are highly sought after in a competitive environment and it’s great for our squad to know that these guys want to contribute to their home province and compete for the jersey. We have only seen glimpses of what these young players can do and we look forward to guiding their development.”

As for Niamh Briggs? Well, the superlative department is beginning to run dry such is her consistency and match-winning ability in the green shirt.

Despite sustaining a calf injury, the Irish skipper landed the all-important penalty to not only exact some revenge for last year’s World Cup semi-final defeat, but to maintain Ireland’s Championship hopes.

“You grow up wanting to play in the biggest games and you want to pit yourself against them,” said Niamh in the build-up to last Friday’s match. “This is it, the perfect opportunity for us to right the wrongs against France.” Job done then, and what a brilliant job both Niamh and Jack are doing when it comes to flying the Waterford flag in the union game currently.