Ireland payback on Wales star Georgia's mind

No Welsh player has made more tackles or carried more than Georgia Evans in this year's Six Nations

Women's Six Nations: Wales v Ireland

Venue: Rodney Parade Date: Sunday, 20 April Kick-off: 15:00 BST

Coverage: Watch on BBC One Wales, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport online, listen on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru

Georgia Evans' Six Nations campaign may have got off to a shaky start with two yellow cards against Scotland, but the Wales back row has certainly made up for it.

In her past two outings against England and France, Evans has been Wales' standout player at number eight.

The 28-year-old has made 55 tackles, with only Italy's Giordana Lucu having made more, and been Wales' top ball-carrier with 33 carries.

And despite a demanding domestic season, in which she played all the way to the Premiership Women's Rugby final, the Saracens star says there is still plenty left in the tank.

"I'm surprised in myself, but clearly my mother fed me something when I was younger that helps me out," Evans said.

"I've played in many games but I still feel great, still feel ready to go and I'm quite sad that there's only two games left.

"Defensively I can make a lot of tackles, but I still want to get better, I still want to be more dominant and I still want to be an opposing threat across the pitch.

"I know that my energy keeps me going until the 80th minute, but I want to make sure that I'm a threat from minute zero to 80."

Evans is going to need every ounce of that energy as Wales face a resurgent Ireland who arrive in Newport as the fifth best side in the world.

Ireland pushed France all the way in their opening-round defeat, before a convincing victory over Italy. They also made England work hard for their win last weekend.

The last time Wales played Ireland, they were on the wrong end of a 36-5 scoreline.

"We were very much humbled last year in Cork, it wasn't what we expected at all," said Evans.

"It still sits in a lot of our heads, a lot of us were involved in that game. I think it is time to give them one back and they're coming to our home patch, so what better place."

Evans is a big fan of new head coach Sean Lynn, who led Gloucester-Hartpury to victory over her Saracens side in March.

"Every single individual knows their job, their role, but also is not afraid to take the shackles off and do what they're good at," she said.

"We've been given a licence to go out and play and it's exciting.

"We've shown in patches that we can attack really well, we've shown that we can score, we've shown that we can defend for a long period of time, but this weekend we want to put it all together and we want to make sure that that performance is 80 minutes, consistent and fun to watch."

Georgia Evans makes a carry during Wales' 42-12 defeat to France

Evans has proved herself a versatile forward, slotting in at lock - where she features in this week's Six Nations team of the tournament - or in the back row, which she prefers.

"I didn't have any expectations to be starting in the back row [at the start of the tournament] as we've got a world-class back row that challenges each other every day, so to be blessed with that shirt and to be trusted with it by Lynny is really pleasing," she said.

"He's given me the freedom to run with it, enjoy it and get the best out of myself."

Evans could face a reshuffle this weekend with flanker Alex Callender's return to fitness.

"I've made it quite known that second row is probably not my preferred position, but I am happy with whatever number is on my back," she added.

Lynn is set to name his side on Friday.