'It's about that next generation' - Deirbhile Nic a Bháird

After losing a fourth game in a row - the latest by close to 50 points - it would have been understandable if the Irish players didn't want to hang around Musgrave Park following their Six Nations defeat to England on Saturday.

But for roughly 30 minutes after the final whistle, the bulk of the players were still out there by the sideline barriers of the west stand, taking pictures and signing jerseys of the kids who were queuing up five and six deep to meet their heroes.

While growing the women's game in Ireland is ultimately the responsibility of the IRFU, having accessible players engaging with supporters goes a long way, a fact not lost on Deribhile Nic a Bháird.

"We've spoken about that as a group," the Munster back row says about their engagement with supporters.

"It isn't just about the group training here week-in and week-out. It is about that next generation."

A crowd of 5,309 supporters watched Saturday's 48-0 defeat to England at Musgrave Park, and while it will be dwarfed by the 50,000-plus who will be at Twickenham for this Saturday's Grand Slam decider between England and France, it's a healthy attendance considering Ireland's place in the women's game right now.

Having travelled around the grounds in 2022, the Irish women's team have joined the under-20s in making Musgrave Park their new home this year, something which has made the campaign more special for a local like Nic a Bháird.

"I've absolutely loved playing in Cork. I'm about 15 minutes home from Musgrave as well, so I was able to go home for a roast on Sunday which was pretty good!" she laughs.

"The fans have been absolutely incredible and I think the support and determination that even the five, six and seven-year-olds [showed], they don't care about