Focusing on victories in both medical pursuits and rugby, Linda Djougang strives for success in every domain.
Linda Djougang, a theatre nurse at Tallaght University Hospital, has found a unique blend of her professional and athletic passions in her successful rugby career. Her nursing experience has positively influenced her performance on the field, instilling qualities such as discipline, resilience, and a strong mindset - essential traits for high-level sport.
Djougang's journey from newcomer to a key player for Ireland, particularly in the prop role, involved overcoming challenges both on and off the pitch. Her nursing background likely developed skills such as teamwork, stress management, and dedication, which have proven invaluable in her rugby career.
The 2021 World Cup presents a significant opportunity for the Irish team to make up for missing the 2017 World Cup and to reclaim their position in the rugby world. As the most experienced player on the Irish squad, with 48 caps, Djougang is at the heart of this ambition.
Last year, Djougang's team played in the WXV1 tournament, which consists of three tiers of nations. Despite being in Tier 1 as one of the three top sides in the Six Nations championship, the team finished second in the tournament in Vancouver. The win over New Zealand transformed their thinking and expectations, moving them from 10th to 5th in the world rankings and potentially ending their "underdog" status.
Djougang, who grew up in Cameroon before moving to Rush in north Dublin as an eight-year-old, previously played as a flanker, then a loosehead, and now a tighthead. Her continuous learning and challenging attitude, possibly nurtured through balancing demanding nursing work with rugby development, led her to move to France to hone her scrummaging skills.
The Irish team feels a strong sense of appreciation for the opportunity to compete in the World Cup, given their past experiences and the journey they have been through. They believe that they no longer want to be seen as underdogs and want respect from other teams.
In the opening match of the World Cup, Ireland delivered a sensational, last-gasp 29-27 victory against world champions New Zealand. If Djougang plays against Japan and then Spain, she will be the only player on the team to potentially face New Zealand in Brighton for the final pool game with 50 caps.
Djougang's determination and resilience, honed through her nursing career, have been instrumental in her success. She believes that the mindset and mindset are crucial in rugby, and caps don't always represent experience. Erin King scored the winning try for Ireland in the final minute of the match, with Dannah O'Brien kicking the conversion off the upright.
As the 2025 Rugby World Cup approaches, Linda Djougang's story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, hard work, and a strong mindset. Her theatre nursing background has provided a foundation of professionalism and perseverance that has underpinned her performance and leadership in rugby, supporting her rise to become Ireland’s most experienced women’s rugby player.
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football is a sport that Djougang has not played, but her experiences in rugby, especially in the premier-league of European leagues or the Six Nations championship, have honed her skills such as teamwork, stress management, and dedication, which could be beneficial if she ever decides to pursue football.
Djougang, with her extensive experience in rugby, is a key player for Ireland not only on the field but also off it, inspiring her teammates and setting an example of resilience and strong mindset, qualities that are essential not only in high-level sports like football but also in professions like nursing or any other field.
