Fiona Coghlan: Ireland performance trumps World Cup aim against Scots

Putting in a creditable performance against Scotland should be the primary focus for Ireland in their final Women's Six Nations fixture on Saturday rather than being distracted by the potential for World Cup qualification, according to former captain Fiona Coghlan.

The Irish team are coming off the back of a 78-point defeat to England and sit second from bottom in the table.

But a win over the Scots in Belfast would give Scott Bemand's side a chance at finishing third which would be enough to secure automatic qualification to the next World Cup, having missed the Covid-delayed 2021 edition of the tournament.

Speaking ahead of the Scotland match, which will be live on RTÉ 2 and the RTÉ Player on Saturday afternoon, Coghlan warned that the main target for Ireland should be to bounce back from the English result with a strong performance level against a somewhat depleted Scottish outfit.

"The fact it's at home is huge. We're looking to hit another record crowd as well which is brilliant," she told RTÉ's Morning Ireland.

"We beat them there two years ago, Scotland are missing some of their backs. Chloe Rollie is suspended for three weeks and two of their backs, (Lisa) Thompson and Rhona Lloyd are gone with the GB Sevens so certainly those types of things fall in Ireland's favour.

"But it depends on the character in the squad. Can they bounce back from that humiliating defeat against England and what sort of shape they're in.

"I think it'll be a really evenly matched match and I think it's well within Ireland's capabilities if mentally they're prepared and have the right game plan in place.

"So I don't think the focus should be on that World Cup qualification. I think it should be on just going out and trying to win that game and