Belfast trip extra special for Ulster back row Brittany Hogan

Two years on from missing out on the chance to play a Six Nations game in her home province, Ireland's return to Belfast can't come quick enough for Brittany Hogan.

The number 8 featured in Ireland's opening three games of the 2022 championship under Greg McWilliams, starting the first two games against Wales and France, before featuring off the bench in the Round 3 win over Italy in Cork.

Hogan missed out on the final two matches of that tournament though, one of seven players who were pulled from the XVs squad to return to duty with Ireland's Sevens team.

After continuing with Ireland Sevens through 2022 and the World Cup in Cape Town, Hogan has been ever-present in the XV's programme since the start of last year. Saturday's Guinness Women's Six Nations finale against Scotland will be her 13th consecutive appearance across the last two seasons.

More significant for the Down native this weekend, will be the chance to represent her country at the home of Ulster rugby.

"I'm really, really excited," Hogan (below) said about the prospect of playing at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday.

"I actually had the opportunity to play in the Celtic Challenge in Kingspan with the Wolfhounds so it's just always nice to have that home buzz. I’m well acquainted with the pitch. I’m well acquainted with the surroundings and where the nearest coffee shop is. So it's nice to know my surroundings."

As of Thursday, 6,600 tickets have been sold for Saturday's final game of the championship in Belfast, and Hogan laughs that she's been roping in everyone she knows to get to Ravenhill in the hope of breaking Ireland's record attendance of 6605, which was set at the RDS against Italy in Round 2.

"That’s my home, so it's really nice. I’ll be able to have a lot