Erin King: Leadership, injury and pet peeves – the making of Ireland’s captain

Offering an insight into her mindset, King says that laziness is “one of my biggest pet peeves”.

King said she did 10-hour days in rehab as she wanted to “control everything I could” in her recovery.

Almost a year to the day from her injury, she made her return in green, this time as captain, against England in front of 77,00 fans at Allianz Stadium.

She admitted she was “really emotional” in the week leading up to the game and it “felt a little surreal”, and she has a “newfound gratefulness” of playing the sport she loves.

“It’s given me this whole new perspective and it can be taken away from you like that,” she said.

“A big part of the way I want to captain this team is the person before the player.

“If you’re happy, enjoying yourself and you feel welcome and happy in your environment, you’re going to play better.”

The ‘Green Wave’ is a name that has been adopted for the Irish support, and King has introduced her own “undercurrent” to help bond the group.

It is her way of recognising “all the little moments that add up to create these amazing moments”.

“I really like placing emphasis on the little bits and pieces and the unseen work,” she said.

“Having this never say die attitude and chasing lost causes, because you don’t know which moment is going to matter and what could create magic.”