Play with a smile on your face.
It sounds simple enough, particularly in a sport where pressure, expectations and the pursuit of results can sometimes overshadow the enjoyment that first draws players to rugby.
But for Emma Tilly and her Old Belvedere teammates, that philosophy is helping transform the atmosphere at Ollie Campbell Park.
The Dublin club have made a flying start to the Energia All-Ireland League Women's Division 1A, collecting maximum points from their opening three fixtures to establish themselves at the top of the table.
Three victories. Three bonus points. Fifteen points from a possible fifteen.
And perhaps most encouragingly, a squad playing with confidence, freedom and an unmistakable sense of enjoyment.
For 23 year old winger Tilly, now in her fifth season with Old Belvedere, the transformation is particularly satisfying.
After missing a sizable chunk of last season through an ankle injury, the Kildare native has featured in all three matches this term and is relishing the opportunity to contribute to a team determined to build on the disappointment of last season's semi-final defeat.
This Saturday brings another significant examination when third placed Blackrock College visit Ollie Campbell Park for a Dublin derby carrying considerable importance at the top of the table.
Fresh from overcoming fellow Dublin rivals Railway Union last weekend, Belvedere have another opportunity to demonstrate their ambitions against one of the division's strongest sides.
But Tilly believes their impressive start is about much more than the results.
It reflects the work undertaken during pre-season, the competition developing throughout the squad and a renewed sense of togetherness under head coach Fiona Hayes.
“We've put the work in since pre-season” Tilly told IrishRugby.ie
“We've had so many girls from underage coming up to us and really putting the positions on the line. The people chasing our tails now from underage coming up.
It's a really big drive in Belvo now because we've over 40 plus people at every training session. It's brilliant to see where last season we really struggled to get numbers. It's really good to see all the young girls coming up and pushing us on as well.”
That increase in numbers has changed the dynamic within the squad.
Places are being challenged, standards are rising and younger players are learning from experienced teammates, including those who have represented their provinces and country.
Yet the competitive environment has not come at the expense of the camaraderie that Tilly believes makes Old Belvedere special.
“We have that real grit and dog attitude at training and then off the pitch we have the craic and everything like that” she explained.
“It's really good to have and it's really shown in our games as well because we have such a big crowd at the matches as well.
All the girls who weren't selected come down and watch and learn from the people on the pitch.”
For a club competing in one of the most demanding divisions in Irish women's rugby, that depth could prove particularly important as the season develops.
The Energia AIL Women's Division 1A has a reduced schedule this season, leaving less room for inconsistency and increasing the significance of each result.
Old Belvedere experienced that reality last year.
They finished fourth and reached the semi-finals, only to see their hopes of reaching the final ended by UL Bohemian, a 24-17 defeat in Annacotty bringing the curtain down on a season where they again missed out on a final.
The disappointment lingered.
But rather than allowing that setback to define the group, Tilly believes it has helped sharpen their collective ambition.
“There was that hurt, there was that kind of dullness around the squad after the loss there in the semi-final” she admitted.
“But I just think this year we sit down, we'll put our goals together, where we want to go.
Everyone has eyes on the Aviva so I think as a group collectively we all know where we want to end up.”
That ambition is reflected in the work being undertaken away from matchdays.
Players are committing to additional training and skills sessions, while younger members of the squad are demonstrating an appetite to improve.
“So we're all determined to put in that work and we will do whatever we can” Tilly continued.
“If it's extra sessions, extra skill sessions, extra bits and bobs, we're willing to put in the work. It's really nice to see all the younger girls wanting to do that and wanting to get better and thriving.
It's special to see where it's going to go, so hopefully fingers crossed it goes our way because the girls are putting in the work and the graft to get there.”
The early evidence suggests that commitment is producing results.
Under Hayes and her coaching team, Old Belvedere have developed an attacking approach that encourages players to express themselves, move the ball quickly and exploit opportunities across the pitch.
Tilly has been particularly impressed by the influence of the coaching team, including Ireland international Enya Breen, who has joined this season as backs coach, balancing training at Ollie Campbell Park with a recent WXV Global Series trip to South Africa.
“I think it's just the work rate at training” she said about any changes to the side this season.
“Fi is really driving us at training, pushing our limits, testing our skills. We have Enya Breen now in as our backs coach so it's lovely to have her in.”
Breen's involvement has provided another valuable source of experience and expertise, with her commitment to the squad continuing even when international duties took her overseas.
“Even though she was away in South Africa she still made sure that there were sessions ran, backs moves put in” Tilly explained.
And the players took ownership to take a few of them backs moves, kind of the backs part of the session. It's really nice to see Enya putting in that work as well.”
For Tilly, the opportunity to develop alongside talented teammates has been equally rewarding.
The winger has represented Leinster, Ireland and the Wolfhounds in the Celtic Challenge, gaining experience at different levels of the game.
But she continues to find something particularly enjoyable about the environment at Old Belvedere.
“Having worked with Amy Larn in the backfield and Clare Gorman, it's really nice to work in a back three with them two girls” she said.
“With Katie Corrigan on 13 and Katie Whelan playing 12, it's really nice for her to get hands on ball with space as well, not just at nine.”
The competition for positions has become another important feature of the team's development.
Even established players understand that selection cannot be taken for granted.
“I think honestly all the positions are up for grabs as well at Belvo” Tilly explained.
“So you can't guarantee you're going to be playing each week. You really have to put your name on the line and show Fi and Breener that you're willing to do it.”
That determination is balanced by a philosophy that places enjoyment at the centre of the team's rugby.
For Tilly, it is not simply a slogan.
It is something the players actively try to demonstrate whenever they train or take the field.
“It's really enjoyable and what we say at Belvo is if you play with a smile you're going to play your best rugby” she said.
“And if you play with less stress you're going to enjoy it more, and that's what we want Belvo to be.
We want Belvo, maybe if you're an international coming back into Belvo, to actually have a place to just play rugby without any pressure, just play with a smile on your face.
That's what we're going to say and even it reflects on our training sessions where we're able to play freestyle rugby.”
The freedom to express themselves has helped create an attacking game capable of challenging opponents in different ways.
Tilly points to the influence of out-half Ellen Jane O'Sullivan Sexton, whose unpredictability keeps opposition players guessing.
“I think having the likes of even Ellie at 10, she's so unpredictable” she said.
“You don't know what she's going to do. She could kick it, she could miss-pass, she's an unbelievable 10 as well to have and she kind of gels us all together even with Jade at nine.”
The speed of Belvedere's attacking play has been another important ingredient.
Quick ball from the breakdown allows the backs to stretch defences, while powerful carriers provide an alternative when space is limited.
“The ball is so quick coming from the rucks so it kind of catches the defence off guard” Tilly explained.
“We're trying to play edge to edge and fast rugby so the defence are always scrambling and surely we'll find a gap there. Even if it's Katie carrying with her power, she's going to create a gap somewhere.”
Belvedere have also demonstrated their ability to adapt to different opponents.
Against Galwegians in their opening game of the season, the forwards played a particularly influential role, establishing a platform through their physicality and set-piece work.
“Even with the forwards, with Galwegians, it was a forward dominant game” Tilly said.
“They played a lot of upfront rugby and they really showed dominance in their scrum which is brilliant as well.
It's nice to have Fi there to create the atmosphere around the forwards and the scrummaging.”
That versatility has helped Belvedere negotiate their opening fixtures successfully, but last weekend's 33-20 victory over Railway Union represented another significant step.
Railway are a traditional powerhouse in this competition, a team who have a track record of making finals and winning this competition, making any Dublin derby against them a demanding examination.
For Tilly, the result was particularly satisfying because of the resilience required to secure it.
“It's never going to be an easy win against Railway” she said.
“They fought and we were never guaranteed the win as well. We fought right to the last minute, and I just think the ball was on our side and we really showed the grit and determination that Old Belvedere has.
When we trust the process and when we trust ourselves and back ourselves we can do special things.”
The victory strengthened the belief within a squad that has spent recent seasons attempting to close the gap on the division's leading contenders.
Belvedere finished fourth last season and exited in the semi-final stage, but Tilly believes the group are capable of challenging for something greater.
“I think that's what a few of the girls are saying after the game” she explained.
“It's when we believe in ourselves we can do this, because we're known as the underdogs and we've placed fourth on the table and we want to show that we can make it to the AIL final.
We can put in the work to get there and I think we have to start that early and face these teams early on in the league.”
The message following the Railway victory was therefore not simply one of celebration.
Belvedere wanted to acknowledge the achievement while recognising the areas requiring improvement before another demanding derby.
“What we took from it was trust the process, back our skills, back ourselves” Tilly said.
“Look, obviously we're not going to be perfect. There's work-ons there so it's nice to take them work-ons and put them against Blackrock this weekend. The whole vibe around the squad is brilliant.”
Blackrock College arrive at Ollie Campbell Park in third place, with both clubs conscious of the significance of another result against a direct rival.
The visitors also have recent history on their side.
Blackrock won 27-7 at Ollie Campbell Park last October and completed the double over Belvedere in the reverse fixture back in March.
Those results underline the challenge facing the league leaders.
Tilly is expecting another fiercely contested encounter.
“We're all buzzing because we're backing ourselves and we're having the belief, so it's really nice to have that” she said.
“But we look forward to Blackrock. We know it's not going to be an easy game. We know they're going to put up the fight in the battles. They're strong all around the park so we can't just rely on that win there at the weekend.
We need to move on, park it, take our learnings and go on to the next game.”
The derby atmosphere adds another dimension.
Matches between Dublin rivals rarely lack intensity, and Belvedere will be particularly determined to protect their unbeaten home record, while there is the element of unfinished business having lost at home last term, something they do not enjoy all too well.
“Of course there is” Tilly said, reflecting on that defeat here last October and unfinished business around it.
“There's always that around the big Dublin teams. You never want to lose at home, you always want to put everyone to the test at home and show the pride in the jersey.
We will fight and we will put our best performance forward for this weekend and hopefully come out with what we want, but we can't guarantee anything.”
Her message is grounded in the same principles that have guided the team's early success.
“We have to really just fight and trust the process, trust ourselves again” she continued.
“Blackrock, they're not easy, they're not easy at home or even travelling there. So we really just have to put the foot down this week, do two good solid training sessions and bring that into the game on Saturday.”
There will be an additional sense of occasion around Ollie Campbell Park this weekend.
Old Belvedere's women's and men's teams both sit at the top of their respective Energia AIL Division 1A tables, with both involved in important Dublin derbies.
It is a remarkable position for the club and one that promises to generate considerable excitement among players, members and supporters.
Tilly hopes the occasion will bring a large crowd and provide another opportunity to showcase the progress being made.
“It's really cool to see” she said.
“We might not have had it in the past so now we really just have to grab on to it, and just play with the pride and play with what we believe in in Belvo.
Even just supporting the lads, there'll be a huge crowd at that so that'd be really nice and hopefully they stay on for the girls and no doubt they will. And then we can celebrate after hopefully two wins. Fingers crossed.”
The significance of the occasion is not lost on a player who began her rugby journey with MU Barnhall at 16.
Tilly subsequently made the move to Old Belvedere after a period playing on dual status, gradually establishing herself within the senior squad.
Now in her fifth season, she has developed a deep connection with the club and the environment it provides.
That relationship became even more important during her recovery from injury last year.
A broken ankle prevented her from featuring at the beginning of the campaign, and it took until Round 12 until she got to put on that Old Belvedere jersey again, leaving her watching from the sidelines while her teammates attempted to establish themselves in the league.
This season has offered the opportunity for a fresh start.
“I was unfortunate enough to not be able to play that game last year because I was out with a foot injury” she explained.
“I broke my ankle so it's really nice this season I get a fresh season, a fresh start with Old Belvo. We really just get to show what we have and what we're developing in Belvo.”
Having featured in all three league matches so far, Tilly is enjoying being part of the team's early momentum.
She also knows the demands will increase as the campaign progresses.
Following Saturday's encounter with Blackrock, the league takes a two week break before Belvedere travel to Annacotty to face defending champions UL Bohemian.
It will provide another significant test of their credentials against the side that ended their campaign in last season's semi-finals.
“A trip down to Annacotty is never easy but it's always nice to give us the challenge that we want” Tilly said.
“We always are looking for challenges and we always learn from them. Look, not every performance is going to be perfect but we can always learn from that and we can build on it for the following weeks.”
The reduced league schedule places additional emphasis on consistency, particularly when international and Celtic Challenge commitments begin affecting player availability.
For Belvedere, however, the increased numbers at training and emergence of younger players offer encouragement that they can remain competitive throughout the campaign.
“Come near the end of the season the Wolfhounds will start so it's going to kind of strip our team” Tilly explained.
“But the best thing about Belvo now is we have them younger girls coming up and we have the depth in the squad which is brilliant to see.
The girls are learning off us girls and they're asking questions at training, they're really digging deep. And we're pushing each other so it's really nice to see the depth that Old Belvo has now that it didn't have in the previous years.
There's something special there and there's something special coming up with Old Belvo now so it's really nice to see.”
That belief extends beyond the immediate results.
Belvedere have assembled a squad combining experienced internationals, established club players and emerging young talent.
They have developed a style of rugby that encourages ambition and creativity while maintaining the physical edge required to compete at the highest level of the domestic game.
And, perhaps most importantly, they have rediscovered the enjoyment that Tilly believes allows players to perform at their best.
Three matches have produced three bonus point victories.
The league table makes encouraging reading, but Tilly knows the greater challenges are still to come. The season is not won in early November, there are still twists and turns before a date in the Aviva Stadium come April.
Blackrock will test their progress this weekend.
UL Bohemian await after the break.
And beyond those fixtures lies the ambition that has united the squad since pre-season, the opportunity to go one step further than last year and reach the Energia All-Ireland League final.
For a player who spent part of last season recovering from a broken ankle, the chance to contribute to that journey carries particular meaning.
Tilly has experienced the frustration of watching from the sidelines, the disappointment of a semi-final defeat and the satisfaction of returning to a squad full of confidence and ambition.
Now she wants to help ensure that Belvedere's excellent start becomes the foundation for something more substantial.
There will be difficult afternoons, demanding opponents and moments when the freedom of their attacking rugby is tested by the pressure of the occasion.
But whatever challenges lie ahead, the message around Ollie Campbell Park will remain the same.
Work hard. Trust one another. Back your skills.
And above all, play with a smile on your face.
For Tilly and Old Belvedere, that approach has already delivered a perfect beginning.
The challenge now is to keep smiling, keep winning and see just how far this exciting group can go.
By Diarmuid Kearney
Additional Photography By Inpho & Ronan Ryan