Dorothy Wall: 'We needed to remember what it felt like to win'

Dorothy Wall says Ireland won't be in the Six Nations simply to make up the numbers, with Scott Bemand's side targeting a top-three finish in 2024.

Ireland get their campaign under way on Saturday, when they take on France in Le Mans (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).

If, as expected, France and England take the top two spots, then third place in the championship would see Ireland secure qualification for next year's Rugby World Cup, a target that's already the stated aim of the new head coach.

For that to happen, it will require a considerable improvement from Ireland, who fell to a historic low in 2023, losing all five games and picking up the wooden spoon.

There have been major changes in the months since that campaign, with head coach Greg McWilliams replaced by Bemand, who spent nine years as part of a hugely successful England set-up, while former Ireland underage international Declan Danaher has also come on board as defence coach.

Captain Nichola Fryday has retired, with that role now shared by Sam Monaghan and Edel McMahon.

In the last two season Ireland have struggled badly in the Six Nations, winning just two of their last 10 games, with a swathe of retirements leaving an inexperienced team in at the deep end of international rugby.

But Wall says the time for "development" is over.

"We are going out to compete so it is not really a development tournament by any standard," Wall said at an event for Aer Lingus.

"I suppose there is pressure in international rugby, if you have won a Six Nations or lost a Six Nations, there is pressure either way, if it is to stay on top or get closer to the top.

"I think pressure is an integral thing to his position and you have to embrace it going forward. We definitely want to compete and