Megan Campbell: 'We’re friends but you cross the white line, it’s football'

There are valid reasons why Megan Campbell has collected half the caps of some within her peer group but being fit and available for tomorrow’s momentous occasion is some consolation.

Such is the collateral damage of her knee and ankle injuries that the 30-year-old was strolling around the Stade Saint-Symphorien in her tracksuit and runners while Ireland underwent the ritual of their pre-match training session last Thursday.

Campbell was back on the surface in her boots the following day, thrust into the action against France to bring defensive nous and her famous threat at the other end from throw-ins.

That was the source of Ireland’s few forays into the box chasing an equaliser and she’ll have the towel on the sidelines again for the visit of England to Lansdowne Road.

Campbell, now with London City Lionesses, following injury-ravaged spells with Manchester City and Liverpool, did enough over the half to consolidate a starting slot.

It was her 48th cap but first appearance in an Ireland shirt since the friendly against China in February 2023. Vera Pauw wasn’t prepared to take the risk of bringing her to the World Cup in Australia.

“I didn’t realise it was that long ago,” she said about her international return for the opening Euro qualifiers which ended in a 1-0 defeat.

“Some people might think ‘ah, something’s wrong’, by not training but it’s part of my schedule. They’re doing really well to manage my load.

“I had 15 minutes' notice to get myself ready to come on. No matter what, it’s going to be tough when you’re coming into the international stage and trying to step up to that level.

“There’s nothing quite like it, but you’ve just got to try and get tight, get your first contacts on the ball, grow into the