Triple Crown

Medical student and international rugby player Claire Molloy has helped her Irish team mates secure their first Triple Crown in the RBS 6 Nations championship.

The side beat Scotland convincingly by 30-3, giving them their third victory from three matches in the event. In their previous games, Ireland narrowly beat Wales and made history against England by winning the match 25-0.

A member of the University's High Performance Programme, Claire combines her rugby training with studying for a medical degree. She plays club rugby for Bristol in the RFUW Premiership, Irish provincial rugby for Connacht and is a key member of the Cardiff University 1st XV team.

She won her first cap in the 2009 Six Nations and has been ever present in the Irish squad since then.

Cardiff's Sports Development Co-ordinator, Paul Jones said: "Claire is approaching the finals of her medical degree so has been at the University a number of years. Throughout this time she has been a fantastic ambassador both on and off the rugby field and a valuable member of our High Performance Support Programme. The time management and organisational skills Claire has shown, as well as continuing to develop as an international rugby player are an example to anyone wishing to balance a life of full time education and elite level sport.

"It is also worth noting that a recent Cardiff University graduate, Sally Tuson, was playing for England Ladies in the game they lost to Ireland a few weeks ago. For the University to have an alumni and current student playing against each other in a senior level 6 Nations game is a first as far as I'm aware and a sign of the progress we are making in performance sport."

Cardiff's High Performance Programme provides elite sportsmen and women with the opportunity to develop their sporting potential whilst studying at a prestigious University. Benefits include structured sport and academic support, access to physiotherapists and sports psychologists, and possible financial assistance.