Ireland aim to heal World Cup pain in Six Nations

Ireland were beaten 18-13 by France to exit the World Cup at the quarter-final stage in their last game in September [Getty Images] Six months on from their heartbreaking World Cup exit to France at the quarter-final stage, the Ireland team has re-assembled for the Women's Six Nations with renewed vigour. That 18-13 defeat in Exeter is still fresh in their memory, but Scott Bemand's side are determined to use it as fuel to fire them to new heights in this year's championship. Under Bemand they have secured back-to-back third place finishes in the Six Nations, coming in 10 points behind France in second and 17 behind eventual winners England in 2025.

So, what would success look like in this year's Six Nations? The goals are clear: close the gap further to the top two and finally pick up an elusive victory over France after some near misses. It will be a tough ask with their games against world champions England, who have won seven straight Six Nations titles and last lost a game in 2018, and France both coming away from home, but Bemand wants his side to prove they have reached another level.

"We've always said we don't want to be afraid to talk about winning; winning games and competitions," he said. "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.

"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 and I think we're tacking in the right direction. " Nine uncapped players for Ireland but Costigan out Head coach Bemand signs Ireland contract extension 'Ultimate honour' - King named Ireland captain 'With the squad we have, we can do things we've never done before' King has battled back from a serious knee injury sustained in last year's Six Nations to captain Ireland for this year's championship [Getty Images] To continue their upward trajectory, Bemand, who has signed a new deal to stay with Ireland until the conclusion of the 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup, has freshened up his squad and opted for a change of captain. There are nine uncapped players in the 36-strong panel while winger Amee-Leigh Costigan, who captained the side throughout last year's championship, and former co-captain Edel McMahon, are out.