Back-row competition driving Edel McMahon on

As an illustration of how competitive training has been ahead of this Saturday's Test with Australia, Edel McMahon points up at her right eye.

There’s the makings of a shiner developing on the flanker’s face after Tuesday’s training session which she admits was "a bit feisty". As for the culprits, no names were mentioned.

As this generation of Irish players prepare for their biggest challenge yet in the WXV later this month, Scott Bemand’s side have been able to prepare with their biggest squad.

Between the senior squad and the additional training panellists, a group of 40 players have been in camp over the last week in anticipation of their warm-up clash with Australia this Saturday in Belfast (2.30pm).

Having secured their place in the top tier of WXV, and logged early World Cup qualification after a promising Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign in the spring, the Ireland head coach stressed last week that the next 12 months are about building depth right across the pitch.

If Bemand was to assess his depth chart today, it’s likely his back row would fill him with the most confidence.

In the Six Nations, the Ireland coach largely worked off a group of five back row forwards. McMahon started four of the five games as co-captain and one of the most experienced in the squad, while Brittany Hogan cemented her spot at number 8.

Aoife Wafer announced herself on the international stage with a breakout championship, while Bemand also regularly called on Grace Moore and Shannon Ikahihifo.

That quintet are all jockeying for places again this autumn, while it’s expected Munster’s Deirbhile Nic a Bháird will be involved this Saturday against the Aussies as she completes her recovery from an ACL injury. Out in the wider squad, Connacht’s