Béibhinn Parsons is targeting a Six Nations appearance as she continues to recover from a broken leg.
The Ireland wing suffered the injury on Sevens duty in Cape Town at the start of December, having just completed a comeback after suffering the same injury - a broken fibula - at the Paris Olympics in August.
Scott Bemand's side begin their campaign against France on 22 March and finish up with a trip to Scotland on 26 April.
"I’m in rehab right now, it’s going really well," the 23-year-old, who has scored 15 tries in 26 appearances, told RTÉ Sport.
"I’m in good hands, I’ll take it day by day and hopefully get out the other side of it.
"I’m definitely going to be in camp, and with the year that’s in it, it’s so important to be at the meetings and gel with all the girls.
"I’m going to be rehabbing alongside the squad and if things work out well hopefully I’ll be back in time for a game.
"It has been tough, seeing the girls do so well, on one side it’s amazing but you also have that bit of envy that you wish you were on the pitch."
Ireland lost to England, France and Italy last season but wins over Wales and Scotland were enough for a third-place finish and automatic qualification for the World Cup.
However, it was the results at WXV1, where they beat World Cup champions New Zealand and USA, that changed the narrative around the team.
"It’s really lifted the standards now that we know we put it up to World Cup contenders, we know our ceilings are limitless," added Parsons.
"You see that in the gym, the pitch sessions, girls just really giving it their all.
"I think a corner has been turned with Scott and his coaching team and the girls themselves, the levels just keep going up and up and it’s brilliant to see.
"The belief that the girls have given the whole country in WXV1, they are going to build on that for the Six Nations."
The Women’s Six Nations has been a two-tier competition for many seasons, with France and England, who have won seven of the last nine renewals, a class above the rest.
But Parsons believes this year could be different.
"I actually don’t think that’s the case anymore," said the Blackrock College RFC back.
"We’ve shown what we can do against the likes of New Zealand.
"I think we can really have a crack at these teams. We have them at home this year. We’re going to have France in that first game and I think anything can happen.
"We’re building week on week and this squad has never had so much rugby under their belt.
"They are playing in the Premiership or the Celtic Challenge and that increased our game-knowledge and experience so much. If there’s any year to put it up to them it’s this year."
Josh van der Flier isn't concerned that Simon Easterby would be interested in the vacant Wales job, while Beibhinn Parsons looks ahead to the upcoming Women's Six Nations which kicks off on 22 March #rterugby pic.twitter.com/KDxXuP7qD4
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 12, 2025
Ireland will face Japan, Spain and New Zealand in Pool C of the World Cup in August and September.
"With the Olympics we had so much Irish support fly over to Paris," said Parsons, one of 40 players included in Bemand's wider squad for the championship.
"I think that will be the case going to England, just a hop across the water. I’ve heard of people who have booked off work until the World Cup final.
"There’s a lot of expectation but it’s a really exciting year."
Meanwhile, the Wolfhounds remain top of the Celtic Challenge standings following their 21-15 win over Gwalia Lightning.
Neill Alcorn’s side scored three tries as the team moved two points clear of Clovers, who beat Glasgow 41-19 in Cork.
Clovers’ round-five match away to Glasgow, which was postponed due to Storm Éowyn, cannot be rescheduled and has been recorded as a 0-0 draw with both sides awarded two league points.
Wolfhounds are next in action in Edinburgh on Saturday week, while Clovers are away to Brython Thunder.
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Watch Munster v Scarlets in the URC on Saturday from 4.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
