After drawing a blank for the first time since April 2023, a run spanning 23 games, centre Eve Higgins believes Ireland will learn lessons from their heavy defeat to New Zealand when they take on France on Sunday.
The Pool C decider had been seen as something of 'free hit' with both sides already qualified for the knockout stages but few envisioned such a rout with Scott Bemand’s side, who had scored 22 tries in their last four matches, failing to get on the board in the 40-0 loss.
"Our green zone attack has been good in this competition," said Higgins, whose side enjoyed 36% of their possession inside the Black Ferns 22 without capitalising on dominant spells at the start of each half.
"Obviously it just wasn't there [against New Zealand].
"We've great coaching staff that we can learn from and make fixes that will make us more effective in the 22. With every game, you have learnings.
"Obviously, it is a disappointment that we didn't get points on the board.
"But we started the game well and a score at the start of the game could change a lot of things, momentum in certain parts of the game could change a lot of things.
"So it's how can we turn those momentum shifts, and actually get points when we're in the 22."
France, who haven’t lost to Ireland in eight games since February 2017, stand in the way of what would be a first semi-final since 2014.
Les Bleues coasted through Pool D, scoring 26 tries in victories over Italy, Brazil and South Africa.
"We’re going to be up against huge opposition," said the 26-year-old Dubliner ahead of Sunday's clash at Exeter's Sandy Park (1pm).
"Our goal in this competition was to get into the quarter-finals as quickly as possible and we did that in our first wins in the pool stage and now we’re into knock-out rugby.
"So we know if we put 80 minutes out next week we can look and assess and get through and hopefully make a semi-final."
Ireland will be sweating on the fitness of Stacey Flood, Edel McMahon and Higgins, who was withdrawn for a head injury assessment.
"I’m fine," said the Railway Union player.
"I obviously got a knock to the head. The [gumshield] was starting to blink so it’s protocol now to go away and do a head assessment.
"I feel good so I just have to make it through all the processes."
Higgins, who played at last summer's Olympic Games with Ireland Sevens, was moved to full-back before half-time when Flood suffered a painful foot injury.
"I knew that the last many games I played it was a possibility that was going to happen," she said of the move out the backline.
"So thankfully, I've had conversations in the past going into games about if that was potentially something that was going to happen.
"You knew one day it was possibly going to. Obviously I have good team-mates that can help me on the pitch.
"And I played a bit of 15 in the Celtic Challenge and stuff so I kind of just focus on myself and what I can bring.
"So, yeah, it was good."
Watch Ireland v France in the Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final on Sunday from 12.30pm on RTÉ1 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live radio commentary on RTÉ Radio.
