Preview: Ireland face tough task against Scotland in final game of Women's Six Nations

It seems a long time ago now but just 12 months ago Ireland, without their Sevens contingent, beat Scotland.

It took a last-gasp converted try by Enya Breen to secure a 15-14 victory in Belfast and it led to scenes of great joy as the squad finished off a first campaign since the furore over the state of the women's game erupted in December 2021 with a win.

It was a sure sign that despite off-field problems, the team were united and capable of producing a result when needed.

Fast forward 12 months and the team has just one win from six matches, that coming in the first summer Test against Japan.

Since then it’s been slim pickings for Greg McWilliams’ charges, who have also had to deal with the fallout from a recent Telegraph article suggesting a culture of sexism in the IRFU, something that the union has denied.

The decision was taken early that the Olympic Games-chasing Sevens squad would not be involved and McWilliams described that fact as the "elephant in the room" before the tournament kicked off.

Even as the poor results – losses to Wales, France, Italy and England – kept coming, McWilliams has stuck to his guns.

His loyalty to a novice squad may come at a cost but it’s something they are prepared to live with, even if it means a place in group three of the new WXV tournament.

Opponents may include Columbia, Kazakhstan and Papua New Guinea, far from exalted company for the 2013 Grand Slam winners and 2014 World Cup semi-finalists.

"Where we finish at the end of the Six Nations, that’s where we finish," McWilliams said.

In order to avoid a stint in tier 3, Ireland must beat Scotland, whose 29-21 success over Italy last week arrested a 12-game winless streak.

But it’s not that simple.

A victory without a bonus point would put