Linda Djougang: 'Sometimes you have to lose to get better'

Linda Djougang says the short-term pain of this year's Six Nations will make way for some long-term gains for the Ireland women's side.

After two heavy defeats to Wales and France, Ireland resume their TikTok Women's Six Nations Championship against Italy on Saturday in Parma, with both sides looking to register their first wins of the championship.

Before the tournament started, a top-half finish appeared to be the Irish target, which would bring with it qualification for the top tier of the new WXV competition later this year.

Fourth place now looks like being a best case scenario for Greg McWilliams' side, but they will need away wins against both Italy and Scotland to make that happen.

And Djougang says they have to accept the reality that baby steps will be needed if they're to become a major player on the world stage again.

"I think it's part of the journey," the prop said.

"We have to take small steps to reach our goals. As a team, and management, we understand where we are. Every week we just have to get better. That's the goal, get batter each week and see something positive in that week and move on. It's going to come.

"We have a good pack, we have a good team. Losing is a good thing, at least we know what we have to work on, sometimes you have to lose to get better. I think we have that mentality.

"We're not winning the games, but we're taking so much out of it."

The 26-year-old (above) spent last season in France playing with ASM Romagnat before returning to Ireland in the autumn, signing a contract with the IRFU.

With 26 caps to her name since making her debut in 2019, the versatile prop is second only to captain Nichola Fryday in terms of Test experience from the squad that played against France last time out.

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