Six months after a heartbreaking World Cup quarter-final exit, Ireland's women's rugby team has regrouped with renewed determination for the upcoming Six Nations championship.
That narrow 18-13 defeat to France in Exeter remains fresh in players' memories, but head coach Scott Bemand insists his squad will use that disappointment as motivation to reach new heights in this year's tournament.
Under Bemand's leadership, Ireland has secured consecutive third-place finishes in the Six Nations, trailing France by 10 points and eventual champions England by 17 points in last year's competition. The team's objectives for this campaign are clear: narrow the gap with the top two nations and finally secure a victory over France after several close encounters.
"We've always said we don't want to be afraid to talk about winning; winning games and competitions," Bemand stated. "The nice thing about how we've been tracking is that we had a good World Cup, but we didn't get what we wanted out of that quarter-final. We pushed France close, but we have to be another school better."
The challenge will be significant, with Ireland scheduled to face both world champions England—who have won seven consecutive Six Nations titles and haven't lost a match since 2018—and France on the road. Despite these obstacles, Bemand believes his team is ready to demonstrate their progress.
"It feels like a lifetime ago but it's been six months since we were last together and the squad continues to look stronger than the competition before," he added. "I think we're tacking in the right direction."
Fresh Faces and New Leadership
To maintain their upward trajectory, Bemand—who recently signed a contract extension through the 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup—has introduced new talent and appointed a different captain. The 36-player squad includes nine uncapped athletes, while winger Amee-Leigh Costigan, who captained the team throughout last year's championship, and former co-captain Edel McMahon are unavailable.
The captaincy has been entrusted to returning back row Erin King, whom Bemand considers the ideal leader for this new phase. King has overcome a serious knee injury sustained during last year's Six Nations to reclaim her place and now assumes the leadership role.
"With the squad we have, we can do things we've never done before," Bemand emphasized, highlighting the team's potential for breakthrough performances.
As Ireland prepares to open their Six Nations campaign, the combination of World Cup disappointment, strategic roster changes, and renewed leadership creates a compelling narrative of redemption and ambition in European women's rugby.