Brittany Hogan discusses overcoming World Cup and injury setbacks

It may have been more quarter-final heartbreak for Ireland at a Rugby World Cup, but Brittany Hogan is proud of how the side represented themselves.

After failing to qualify for the last women's World Cup, Scott Bernard's side were edged out by France 18-13 in Exeter.

In a game which saw Hogan pick up an injury in the 58th minute, defeat was hard to take.

However, as time has passed, the Ireland back-row has learned to take the positives from the tournament.

"The feelings now compared to straight after are hugely contrasting", said Hogan.

"It was a heartbreaking finish, so close to achieving our goal, I got injured, so it was a mixture of emotions for myself.

"I still think of how heartbreaking that day was, but I try my best to combat it by looking at the impact we have made. We achieved our goal in inspiring our next generation of boys and girls."

From missing out on World Cups and wooden spoons to being disappointed not to reach a World Cup semi-final, it has been some journey for this side.

Having a 13-0 lead against a side like France and not being able to see it through adds to the disappointment, with Hogan ruing Ireland's unable to build on their lead before half-time in the quarter-finals.

"Our coaches are veterans of that pitch, and the girls who play in Exeter at the moment, they knew what that pitch and that weather, you have to be going into half lead with a significant difference.

"Those 30 phases we had before half-time, if we converted one of them it may have been a different story, we might have just snook it.

"Fair play to France, they are a very aggressive and hard to break down outfit. Those 30 phases probably lit up their changing room at half-time.

"We weren't scared of it at half time, we probably