Sam Monaghan feels Ireland have plenty of room for improvement despite beginning their Women's Rugby World Cup campaign with a 28-point hammering of Japan.
Ireland scored six tries in Sunday's 42-14 win, but co-captain Monaghan warns there are still things to work on ahead of their second Pool C fixture, against Spain on Sunday (Live on RTÉ2/Player).
"It sort of shows where this team is at the minute, because a few of us were frustrated at points and there were maybe momentum swings in that game," the Ireland co-captain said.
"We felt like maybe we should have turned the tide a bit quicker, but there were so many positives to take out of it.
"I am so proud of the group. It was never about just the 23.
"That's what has gotten us this far because some girls are at home that might have done a job here. Really proud of the staff and the group as a whole.
"No one can underestimate the Japanese. They are a very strong and clinical side. Some of the defensive pressure we were under was tough."
The game in Northampton was Ireland's first at a RWC in eight years, after failing to qualify for the 2021 edition.
So for 27-year-old lock Monaghan and the rest of the team, bar hooker Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald, it was a first World Cup appearance.
"We were trying to keep our heads, focus on what we needed to do, and most of all just enjoy it," she said.
"I had spoken to so many people who were involved in World Cups and who said the nerves [can affect you].
"The thing we wanted was to really enjoy it. It is amazing to have the opportunity to be between those four white lines.
"All you have to focus on is that game so it is a pretty special place to be."
Ireland have suffered significant injury issues ahead of the tournament in England.
Forwards Dorothy Wall and Erin King are out for the duration after suffering Achilles and ACL injuries respectively.
Aoife Wafer had knee surgery in July and has travelled but is only expected to return to training this week.
Monaghan recovered from her own cruciate ligament (sustained in June 2024) just in time to take part in the World Cup warm-up games against Scotland and Canada.
Her fellow co-captain Edel McMahon (also knee) missed those but was fit to play 76 minutes against Japan.
"I am very grateful that the times aligned and allowed me to play at the World Cup," said Monaghan.
"Some players weren't. Dorothy Wall was in there in the changing-room afterwards and it was great to see her. She is a huge part of this group.
"I am grateful to be here, to have the support staff around me to get me this far."
Watch Ireland v Spain in the Rugby World Cup on Sunday from 11.30am on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra
Watch the Women's Rugby World Cup with RTÉ Sport featuring 26 matches across RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and RTÉ One, including all of Ireland's group matches
