Neve Jones insists Ireland have put their 2021 World Cup qualification disaster behind them, as they prepare to return to Parma this weekend.
Greg McWilliams' side take on Italy at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Saturday in the TikTok Women's Six Nations, the scene of their lowest point in recent memory, where they missed out on qualification for last year's World Cup in New Zealand.
While Ireland did beat this week's opponents Italy in that qualifying tournament, defeats to Spain and Scotland left them missing out on the showpiece Down Under last Autumn, and sparked two reviews into the state of the women's game in Ireland.
The current Ireland squad is almost unrecognisable from that group that were last in Parma in September 2021, with several retirements including captain Ciara Griffin.
And Jones, who was an unused substitute in that decisive defeat to Scotland which ended their qualification hopes, says righting the wrongs of that day isn't a motivation for this group on Saturday, even if the significance of returning to Parma can't be ignored.
"I think a lot of us are aware of it," she said.
"The players who were involved in that squad when we went there the last time are aware of it, but there's lots of fantastic players who are coming through and who haven't been there.
"So, for us, it’s an exciting time. We’re going to play Italy at home and that’s something really special. We’re not really looking at what happened in the past, it’s all about the future and the onward journey that we’ve got.
"I think people who were involved there have put that behind them and we’re thriving and ready to do."
Ireland won't need any extra motivations to win on Saturday, still seeking a first win of the competition after two heavy defeats to Wales and France while Italy are also without a point from their first two matches.
Jones (below), who plays her club rugby for Premier 15s side Gloucester-Hartpury, has emerged as one of the key players in recent seasons, but she says there's no greater responsibility on the English-based players to perform.
"I think every player here keeps everyone else accountable for their standards. We push each other on the pitch.
"In the scrums this morning, the hookers were going at each other, the props, we're just striving to make the squad better, not necessarily individuals bringing it up.
"We’re growing. We are getting used to how each other jumps and lifts, timing of throws and that kind of thing. We are just constantly growing as a squad, and it’s gotten better. We have 100% on our own ball against France, so that’s a huge positive for us.
"Being able to come in this week and use that as a positive to keep us going and build into Italy as well as our own scrum," she added.
Jones won her 15th cap last time out against France, and the fact that she was the fourth most capped player in the starting line-up for that game illustrates how inexperienced the current squad are.
Unlike previous generations, this Irish squad are having to learn hard lessons in front of big crowds in stadiums, as well as large TV audiences.
With greater exposure comes greater scrutiny and criticism when things don't go well, but the hooker says she can only see the positives in it.
"I think it's a real positive thing, especially for the women’s game," she said.
"You can see the numbers are growing, there are more spectators at fans, there are more people tuning into games.
"So, I think for players, it’s really nice to see. My mum wasn’t able to get down to the Cork game [v France] because she was working, but she was able to put it up on her phone, so she could watch and support from there.
"Family and friends might not be able to get to the game but they are always there to watch and support.
"For us as players, it’s a hugely positive thing, and we don’t really dwell on the negative side. It’s just making us grow from strength to strength."
Watch Lions v Leinster (Saturday 3pm), Stormers v Munster (Saturday 5.15pm) and Connacht v Cardiff (Saturday 7.35pm) on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player or follow live scores on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app.
Follow a live blog for Italy v Ireland in the Women's Six Nations (Saturday 4.45pm) on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app or listen to live radio commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.
