This month, Irish women's rugby will return to the top table, even if it’s just a temporary visit.
Scott Bemand’s side don’t have residency in the upper echelons of the game anymore, but when they take on New Zealand, Canada and the USA in the WXV 1 in Vancouver, they’ll have a rare opportunity to see how they face up against some of the game’s best teams outside of the Six Nations window.
Progress isn’t linear, and the likelihood is that this Irish side will have to temper expectations as they step up in class, particularly against the Black Ferns and Canada – the world champions, and the world number three on the rankings, respectively.
Assuming the ultimate aim of this Irish side is to be able to mix it with the likes of England and New Zealand in the future, the reality is that it’s going to take some time and there will be a few bloody noses along the way.
If that day does eventually arrive, then these next five weeks will be hugely influential. It starts this Saturday with Australia in Belfast (2.30pm), before the 35-player squad gets trimmed down to 30 who will jet off to Vancouver for the WXV.
While Ireland hosted the USA at the RDS back in November 2021, for the vast majority of this squad it will be a first opportunity to test themselves against a top tier opponent outside of the Six Nations.
Of the current Irish squad, only Clíodhna Moloney and Eimear Considine featured when Ireland and the Wallaroos met during the 2017 Rugby World Cup, while Moloney and Nicole Fowley are the only survivors from the Irish side that togged out in the previous meeting with New Zealand in November 2016. Ireland’s last clash with the Canadians was also that month, with Fowley the only current player who featured.
"If you want to put yourself in contention to be the best in the world you have to play the best," centre Enya Breen (below) said, ahead of this Saturday’s meeting with Australia.
"I think it's a huge opportunity.
"We're really excited to give it a crack, and hopefully if all goes well we'll fire some shots and take whatever comes from the opportunity.
"It’s hugely exciting. We get well used to playing the same five nations every year so it's nice to get new opportunities, new experiences and playing against different styles. That ultimately is what’s going to make us better really, isn’t it?"
The Munster centre comes into this international window having finally got a steady run of games together.
The 25-year-old spent a year sidelined with a knee injury before returning in Round 2 of the Six Nations last spring, and played each of the remaining four games while she started both wins against Wales and Scotland.
After getting a full pre-season, the Blackrock clubwoman is feeling back at the top of her game.
"It's been a long while since the Six Nations, I got a good pre-season under my belt," she said.
"We were worked hard and it was nice to get a few games with the interpros as well.
"I feel like it's built nicely to this campaign."
Saturday’s opponents Australia are ranked fifth in the world, four places ahead of Ireland, but have lost four of their five games in 2024, all of those defeats coming to Ireland’s WXV opponents New Zealand, Canada and USA.
Their most recent loss came to the Black Ferns in July, a 62-0 hammering against the world champions at Ballymore.
"They are a team who like to play so if we can use that against them, we can show what Hugh [Hogan, defence coach] has brought in, pressing hard and shutting them down early," she added.
"That’s exactly what we can do.
"We have to take our own opportunities as well, use our attack as a weapon, just like we are going to use our defence as a weapon.
"Australia are a team that likes to play, but so do we. We're just focusing on us at the minute.
"At the minute it's a new group, we're trying to get our connections together and work out what way we want to play, and put our stamp on the game. Whatever Australia throw at us, we'll have our own game to throw right back at them."
As part of the new-look coaching team, Gareth Steenson (above) has come on board as a specialist kicking coach. A Champions Cup winner and two-time Premiership champion with Exeter Chiefs, the Ulsterman’s arrival has been welcomed by Breen.
"It is great to get his insight," she said.
"He’s a massive history in the game and a great career as well. It’s great to get his tips and knowledge.
"I think if you watched our games in the Six Nations kicking is a huge part of it.
"If we can take anything from Steeno, not just his kicking expertise and advice, he’s played as a 10, played the game long enough to get his attacking insight, game insight; if we can take anything from that then it is a bonus for us."
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