For teenage rugby star Beibhinn Parsons it was a case of 'just what the doctor ordered' when choosing between study and sport.

The youngster scored stunning tries in the first two Six Nations matches for Ireland but had confirmed last December that she would only be available for those games - no matter how she performed.

Ireland rugby's head coach Adam Griggs said Parsons had always intended to cut short her Six Nations involvement in order to study for her leaving cert.

Parsons wants to study medicine at university and so the results of her exams, equivalent to A Levels, are important.

While the coach has said he understood her decision he does wish he still had the 18-year-old in his squad.

"She wasn't hesitant. I certainly wanted her to be. She's a very focused young individual.

"She was determined to do well in those first two weeks, box them off and then do well in her studies," he told BBC Sport.

Griggs added: "With how well the first two weeks went for her and the potential she has, you wish you had her but she has other priorities and we're fully supportive of that."

Ireland's next match in the Six Nations was scheduled to be against Italy on March 8 but it has been cancelled due to the coronavirus.