"I started playin rugby when I was in second year of college (2001) in WIT.  I was playing soccer at the time and a team mate asked me if I'd be interested in going along to rugby training.  I was hesitant at the beginning, I had never played before but I had fond memories of going to the lads rugby matches when I was at school.

After a few training sessions I was hooked - it was a good laugh, the girls were mad craic and it was physically challenging!  Soccer was soon kicked to the kerb!

After a season with WIT I also joined Roscrea RFC and really enjoyed those first few years of rugby.  After completing college I went to Japan for a year and on my return I joined Blackrock RFC.

It was a big decision to join the division one club and I certainly was a very small fish in a big pond on arrival. It was at a totally new level from what I had been used to playing at, international players everywhere I looked!

With some good coaching I soon caught on and eventually somewhere along the line managed to make the starting 15. Then from there to Leinster and then into the Irish setup, it was all a bit of a roller coaster ride."

Louise now plays her club rugby with UL Bohemians and was involved in the 2009 Interprovincial Winning Munster side.  She has been capped for Ireland sixteen times.

Getting to know Louise Austin:

Name: Louise Austin

Favourite Food: Japanese Food

Book you are currently reading or have just finished: Reading…………. I don’t have time for that!

Favourite TV programme: Grand Designs

Favourite Film: Slumdog Millionaire

Favourite Actor/Actress: Gerard Butler

Most enjoyable holiday location: Kho Phi Phi, Thailand

Marooned on a desert island what could you not be without: Penknife!

Favourite sport other than rugby: Tag

The sport you least like: Soccer  – did you see the world cup final?

Person you would most like to meet: Nelson Mandela

Sportsperson you admire most: Katie Taylor

Hobbies: Travelling, Socializing!

Where and when did you first play rugby: College – Waterford Institute of Technology in 2001.

Best career advice you were given: Change position to prop – NOT!

What you like most/least about being a rugby player: Representing your country and the craic with the girls/the bruises

Other sports that you played: Hockey, soccer, athletics, orienteering – is that a sport? Anything that got me off school for a day!

Best rugby memory: Man of the Match versus Wales in 2009 Six Nations

Rugby Player you admire most: Paul O’Connell

Rugby team you admire most: All Blacks

Sporting event you would most like to attend: Rugby World Cup New Zealand

If you didn't play rugby what would you be: an actress!!!!

Three people you would invite to dinner and why: Paolo Nutini – to provide the entertainment. Gordon Ramsay – to do the cooking. Dan Carter to…………..