Neve Jones: Return to Parma won't stir up bad memories

Neve Jones insists Ireland have put their 2021 World Cup qualification disaster behind them, as they prepare to return to Parma this weekend.

Greg McWilliams' side take on Italy at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Saturday in the TikTok Women's Six Nations, the scene of their lowest point in recent memory, where they missed out on qualification for last year's World Cup in New Zealand.

While Ireland did beat this week's opponents Italy in that qualifying tournament, defeats to Spain and Scotland left them missing out on the showpiece down under last Autumn, and sparked two reviews into the state of the women's game in Ireland.

The current Ireland squad is almost unrecognisable from that group that were last in Parma in September 2021, with several retirements including captain Ciara Griffin.

And Jones, who was an unused substitute in that decisive defeat to Scotland which ended their qualification hopes, says righting the wrongs of that day isn't a motivation for this group on Saturday, even if the significance of returning to Parma can't be ignored.

"I think a lot of us are aware of it," she said.

"The players who were involved in that squad when we went there the last time are aware of it, but there's lots of fantastic players who are coming through and who haven't been there.

"So, for us, it’s an exciting time. We’re going to play Italy at home and that’s something really special. We’re not really looking at what happened in the past, it’s all about the future and the onward journey that we’ve got.

"I think people who were involved there have put that behind them and we’re thriving and ready to do."

Ireland won't need any extra motivations to win on Saturday, still seeking a first win of the competition after two heavy defeats to