It seems a long time ago now but just 12 months ago Ireland, without their Sevens contingent, beat Scotland.
It took a last-gasp converted try by Enya Breen to secure a 15-14 victory in Belfast and it led to scenes of great joy as the squad finished off a first campaign since the furore over the state of the women's game erupted in December 2021 with a win.
It was a sure sign that despite off-field problems, the team were united and capable of producing a result when needed.
Fast forward 12 months and the team has just one win from six matches, that coming in the first summer Test against Japan.
Since then it’s been slim pickings for Greg McWilliams’ charges, who have also had to deal with the fallout from a recent Telegraph article suggesting a culture of sexism in the IRFU, something that the union has denied.
The decision was taken early that the Olympic Games-chasing Sevens squad would not be involved and McWilliams described that fact as the "elephant in the room" before the tournament kicked off.
Even as the poor results – losses to Wales, France, Italy and England – kept coming, McWilliams has stuck to his guns.
His loyalty to a novice squad may come at a cost but it’s something they are prepared to live with, even if it means a place in group three of the new WXV tournament.
Opponents may include Columbia, Kazakhstan and Papua New Guinea, far from exalted company for the 2013 Grand Slam winners and 2014 World Cup semi-finalists.
"Where we finish at the end of the Six Nations, that’s where we finish," McWilliams said.
In order to avoid a stint in tier 3, Ireland must beat Scotland, whose 29-21 success over Italy last week arrested a 12-game winless streak.
But it’s not that simple.
A victory without a bonus point would put Ireland level on four points with Italy but the Azzurre have a 77-points-difference advantage.
That means Ireland must score four tries in a victory over the Scots and hope Wales beat Italy, and ensure Italy don’t even come away from the clash in Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi with a losing bonus point.
Alternatively a five-point win for Ireland in Edinburgh and a 32-point swing with zero match points for Scotland would do the trick.
The second-last placed team in the table will play Spain for a play in tier two at a date and location to be confirmed.
It’s all a very long shot given that Ireland have scored a paltry two tries, one a penalty try, and a penalty in the tournament so far.
"It about being more clinical and showing that our performance is well able to play at a good pace and hopefully we get some tries and build up some scores," said McWilliams.
While the scrum has improved over the four games, the lineout continues to cause problems. Failure to address that set-piece will make this another tough day at the office.
SCOTLAND v IRELAND: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
McWilliams has named an unchanged team to the side beaten 48-0 by England last weekend but Dorothy Wall has recovered from an ankle injury and takes a place on the bench.
Scotland boss Bryan Easson recalls Emma Orr after the centre came through the return to play protocols following a concussion against France in round three. Lisa Thompson returns to GB 7s.
This game, which will be played in front of a record crowd of over 4,000, looks set to be a tight affair.
Scotland will buoyed by last weekend's victory and may smell blood.
"They are coming in with really good momentum," admitted McWilliams.
"They are a very solid team; they like to move the ball around. Their launch attack is very strong, they get into good positions, and they like to get to the edges.
"Defensively we'll have our work cut out."
Verdict: Scotland
Scotland: Chloe Rollie; Coreen Grant, Emma Orr, Meryl Smith, Francesca McGhiee; Helen Nelson, Mairi McDonald; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Christine Belisle; Jade Konkel-Roberts, Louise McMillan; Rachel Malcolm, Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher.
Replacements: Jodie Rettie, Anne Young, Elliann Clarke, Eva Donaldson, Eilidh Sinclair, Caity Mattinson, Beth Blacklock, Liz Musgrove.
Ireland: Lauren Delany; Aoife Doyle, Aoife Dalton, Vicky Irwin, Natasja Behan; Dannah O'Brien, Molly Scuffil-McCabe; Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Christy Haney; Nichola Fryday (capt), Sam Monaghan; Brittany Hogan, Grace Moore, Deirbhile Nic a Bháird.
Replacements: Clara Nielson, Sadhbh McGrath, Kathryn Buggy, Hannah O'Connor, Dorothy Wall, Ailsa Hughes, Anna McGann, Méabh Deely.
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