Ireland opened their Women's Six Nations campaign with an 18-14 win against Scotland in Donnybrook on Sunday afternoon, but coach Adam Griggs admitted that relief was the overriding sentiment after his charges staved off a spirited comeback by the visitors. 

Cliodhna Moloney and birthday girl Sene Naoupu crossed the whitewash in the first 15 minutes before the Scots sprung to life. 

Moloney's first-half departure due to a head injury seemed to have a major impact on Irish momentum and Scotland enjoyed lengthy periods of possession and territorial advantage before Beibhinn Parsons’ breakaway try in the 67th minute.

"Relieved more than satisfied, to be honest," Griggs told RTÉ Sport of his primary emotion after the full-time whistle.

"We showed glimpses of what we can do. We let the Scotland team back in the game and they’re a good side. 

"For that second half, they put a lot of pressure on us. We’ve got so much to work on, I guess the positive is you can see the potential in the play when we get it right.  

"I thought the first 20-25 minutes, we were sharp.

"Everything we planned to do we did and it came off and we looked good."

Wales, who suffered a shock loss to Italy in Cardiff on Sunday, travel to Dublin to face Ireland next Sunday, with Griggs all too aware that a better performance will be required to see off a team which inflicted a 24-5 defeat on Ireland last season.

"We’ve got to be much better next week," he added.  

"I’m sure the group knows that as well."