After two chastening defeats to start their TikTok Women's Six Nations, the week off between Rounds 2 and 3 was an opportunity for Ireland to press pause, and refresh both the body and minds ahead of a push towards salvaging their championship.
But rather than returning to action this week with confidence restored, Greg McWilliams' side take on Italy in Parma followed by a cloud of tension, with the head coach needing to deny there's a sexist culture in the IRFU.
Once again, this Irish team are having prepare for a game where the actual rugby is the secondary story of the week.
Just as it was in 2021 when Anthony Eddy's comments about Ireland's Rugby World Cup failure sparked outcry, much of the frustration this week has stemmed from the IRFU's response to a damning report in The Telegraph, rather than the content of the report itself.
After Thursday's team announcement, the Irish head coach spent close to 30 minutes fielding questions from the media about the allegations of sexism against the union, and the frustrations of those in the wider women's rugby community in Ireland.
His clumsy reference to being a father figure to the group did little to mop up the PR mess.
The sentiment of the reference was well-meaning, with McWilliams attempting to be protective of an inexperienced squad of players, who have had to learn harsh lessons on the job in what for several of them is a first Six Nations campaign.
Next week's arrival of England to Cork will only magnify the scrutiny on the wider Irish women's rugby programme, but for 80 minutes this afternoon, captain Nichola Fryday (below) and her team-mates will have to focus on the rugby.
A lot has changed in the women's game in Ireland since last year's 29-8 win against the Azzurre at Musgrave Park, and while plenty of those developments have been positive, the reality is that Ireland have taken a backwards step between the white lines.
A look through the line-ups from that day paints a picture of how things have changed on the pitch.
Just six of the starting XV from that win in Cork will continue in the first team today, and all of those coming in jerseys 1-6.
It's an entirely different backline behind the scrum, with Lucy Mulhall, Beibhinn Parsons, Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe, Eve Higgins and Stacey Flood all away on Sevens duty, while Ireland are also having to cope without Kathryn Dane, who is continuing to recover after suffering a brain haemorrhage last year.
While only eight of this week's Italian side also started the corresponding fixture 12 months ago, they'll be able to boast a line-up that dwarfs Ireland in terms of experience.
Outside centre Michela Sillari's 76 caps are more than the entire Irish backline combined (65), while their starting XV's combined international appearances is three times that of Ireland's 187.
There's no doubt that Ireland are having to rebuild from the ground, with 13 of this week's matchday squad holding fewer than 10 international caps each.
As one of the more experienced players in the group, loosehead prop Linda Djougang (below) says they're realistic about their short-term prospects.
"I think it's part of the journey. We have to take small steps to reach our goals," she said.
"As a team, and management, we understand where we are. Every week we just have to get better. That's the goal, get better each week and see something positive in that week and move on. It's going to come.
"We have a good pack, we have a good team. Losing is a good thing, at least we know what we have to work on, sometimes you have to lose to get better. I think we have that mentality."
Their opening games have shown up a variety of issues to address. Against Wales, they found themselves overpowered in the first half as they fell to a 26-0 half-time deficit, and while they managed to draw the second half 5-5, it did little for their confidence.
The following week against France, they were ripped apart by the French attack, missing 43 tackles as they visitors eased to a 53-3 win, having played an hour of the game with 14 players. Those defensive numbers can't be repeated in Parma.
"We know the Italians are a bit unpredictable, so you have to be switched on in most areas. Definitely, our cohesion in defence will be a big one against Italy," said Anna McGann, who makes her first start for Ireland in the centre this week.
McGann is one of three changes to the side that were beaten by France, replacing Vicky Irwin at inside centre, while scrum-half Ailsa Hughes and full-back Lauren Delany replace Molly Scuffil-McCabe and Méabh Deely respectively.
Italy head coach Giovanni Raineri has also made three changes, after they fell to a heavy 68-5 defeat away to England
Sofia Stefan takes over captaincy after injury to Elisa Giordano, while Isaballa Locatelli comes into the back row and Giada Franco shifting to No.8. Beatrice Capomaggi comes in at full-back to win a sixth cap, as Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi drops out of the squad, while Alyssa D'Inca returns on the wing.
The meeting at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi brings Ireland back to the scene of their 2021 World Cup qualification disaster in Parma, a storyline that's largely faded into significance after the explosive events of the last two days.
This fixture has traditionally been fruitful for Ireland, losing just once in their previous 16 Six Nations games against the Italians.
But even with the weight of history, it's hard to see Ireland reversing their fortunes and getting off the mark for 2023.
Verdict: Italy
Italy: Beatrice Capomaggi; Aura Muzzo, Michela Sillari, Beatrice Rigoni, Alyssa D'Inca; Veronica Madia, Sofia Stefan (capt); Gaia Maris, Vittoria Vecchini, Lucia Gai; Sara Tounesi, Giordana Duca; Francesca Sgorbini, Isabella Locatelli, Giada Franco.
Replacements: Emanuela Stecca, Alice Cassaghi, Sara Seye, Valeria Fedrighi, Laura Gurioli, Alissa Ranuccini, Sara Barattin, Emma Stevanin.
Ireland: Lauren Delany; Aoife Doyle, Aoife Dalton, Anna McGann, Natasja Behan; Dannah O'Brien, Ailsa Hughes; Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Christy Haney; Nichola Fryday (capt), Sam Monaghan; Dorothy Wall, Grace Moore, Deirbhile Nic a Bháird.
Replacements: Clara Nielson, Sadhbh McGrath, Kathryn Buggy, Hannah O'Connor, Brittany Hogan, Molly Scuffil-McCabe, Vicky Irwin, Méabh Deely.
Referee: Aurelie Groizeleau (FFR).
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