The Ireland Rugby Social sits down with Brittany Hogan

On this week's Ireland Rugby Social, Gavin Andrews and Lindsay Peat sit down for a wide-ranging chat with Ireland back row Brittany Hogan.

Hogan began playing rugby at her hometown club Ballynahinch and was soon capped through the age grades by Ulster.

While her international career initially came in the sevens code, she made her senior Ireland XVs debut in the Covid-impacted Women's Six Nations in October 2020.

Since then, she has become a staple in the Irish pack and has started all three Six Nations games this year at blind-side flanker, scoring a try in the 57-20 win over Italy in Galway.

After a rest week, Hogan and her team-mates are hoping to bounce back from a painful defeat by France in Saturday's game against Wales in Belfast (18:30 BST).

"Wales are very good and they have grown into the tournament, built and changed completely," said Hogan.

"Their set-piece and their forward pack, they are very dominant in their maul, scrum strong and their breakdowns are strong.

"This is going to be a good, tough and physical game. We want to make sure we start fast again, like we did against France."

Ireland remain unbeaten at home so far after an impressive 57-20 win over Italy in Galway.

They will also take confidence into the match having won two of their past three Six Nations fixtures at the home of Ulster Rugby.

"I love playing up there, it is great to be back up at Ulster and playing up with the home crowd there," Hogan added.

"There is a great buzz and a lot more of my family can go, it is nice to see everyone and it is a great stadium.

"We want to go away with three home wins. We haven't won three home games in the past few years and it is really important that if people come over to us, that we make it really hard."