Confidence soars in women’s bid for hat-trick

IRELAND women’s impressive win over Wales may only have given them a glimmer of hope at winning the Six Nations, but in context of the bigger picture, it was even more encouraging.

Since Adam Griggs replaced Tom Tierney as head coach, the Kiwi has consistently demanded that has players express themselves.

In the warm-up win over Wales in January, they showed glimpses of that and while they were well beaten by France in the Six Nations opener, they have bounced back well since.

Improvements were made in the win over Italy, while against Wales, Ireland took their performance up another level.

Stalwarts like Claire Molloy and Sene Naoupu have rediscovered their best form, while less experienced players like scrum-half Alisa Hughes have brought an added edge to their play.

The squad will reconvene at their Dublin base on Friday before their one full-pitch session of the week.

Scotland arrive in Donnybrook on Sunday afternoon for what will be Ireland’s final home competitive game this year, before they round off their campaign in England next weekend. The Scots are winless thus far and with confidence high in the Ireland camp, they should ensure that they win their third game on the bounce.

England will be a totally different proposition however, but if Ireland can finish on a high, it will ensure that a new page has well and truly turned since last year’s World Cup.