‘We had a great training day on Wednesday, we knocked the stuffing out of each other’ – Ireland ready for Six Nations finale

Scotland are the visitors to Belfast for the final game of the tournament with plenty still on the line, with Scott Bemand’s girls still capable of finishing third in the table and securing their place in next year’s World Cup. But, more than that, it’s a chance to set the record straight.

After last week’s heavy defeat to England at Twickenham, which saw them ship 14 tries on their way to a thumping 88-10 loss, Ireland are determined to respond in the perfect fashion and, accordingly, there’s been a notable uptick in their midweek preparation.

"You could tell the want in the girls from early in the week,” says co-captain Edel McMahon.

"I think we pushed the pace a little bit further than we should have, but that’s just because we’re so determined to right the wrongs from the weekend. That’s been a real booster looking forward to the weekend.”

Fellow skipper Sam Monaghan missed the drubbing in London but has been recalled for Saturday’s must-win tie if Ireland are to finish third, and she believes not glossing over the performance will be vital.

"For us, it’s about consistency, taking the same approach each week as we have done,” says the Gloucester-Hartpury lock.

"Having those honest conversations on Monday about the work-ons we need to have going into the week. Going into this week we had those honest conversations and it’s not just the girls on the pitch that need to hold their hands up, it’s everyone in the squad whether we win or lose.

"We had a great training day on Wednesday, we knocked the stuffing out of each other! We can take confidence from that going into Saturday.”

Whether a blessing or a curse, Ireland will know their World Cup chances by the time they kick-off on Saturday afternoon – they are already that a win over third-placed Scotland is essential, but if Italy take the maximum haul from their clash with Wales, which kicks off beforehand, then they will also need a bonus point and to win by three more points than Italy do.

But in a comfortable venue for the team having won at Ravenhill in their last game there, also against Scotland in 2022, both McMahon and Monaghan admit that all they are looking for are more signs that they are taking strides forward under Bemand rather than focusing on potentially securing a best Six Nations finish since 2020.

"The last time we played here, Belfast came out in its numbers and gave us a record crowd and they’re doing so again this weekend, which is unbelievable. Nice to be on a new pitch as well, the 4G has a nice bounce to it. A little less muddy than last time!” smiles McMahon ahead of the game, which is expected to attract a crowd of over 7,000.

"Scotland, for us, has always been a battle and they’ve been on a journey similar to ours. They have a good set-up and have been on a bit of a momentum swing since WXV, very similar to us. We know what they look like, they’re quite organised.

"But we’re going to focus on us and what we can produce as a performance. I’m very confident in the girls that we can go out and perform.”