Preview: New era for Ireland but tough start awaits in France

And so, the latest new era begins.

It's just under 11 months since Irish women’s rugby hit rock bottom. We thought the World Cup qualification disaster of 2021 was as low as it could go, but a first Six Nations wooden spoon for 19 years saw the former champions and World Cup semi-finalists go through the floorboards, and into a basement we never knew existed.

It will take a long time before we can start talking about Ireland as potential Guinness Women’s Six Nations winners like we did back in 2013 and 2015, but a year on from their painful 2023 championship, there’s hope for this group that they can begin a slow ascent.

More winnable games will arrive later in the tournament, when Ireland host Italy, Wales and then Scotland, but for now Scott Bemand’s side face a difficult start away to last year’s runners-up France, with a crowd of around 15,000 people expected at Stade Marie-Marvingt in Le Mans.

Bemand and his players have openly stated their goal for this tournament; qualification for the next Rugby World Cup in England in 2025. If they’re to do so in this championship they would likely require a third-place finish, which would represent a huge leap and major progress.

The reality is that a fourth or fifth-place finish would almost certainly be enough for them to secure qualification later this year through the WXV.

With Italy due to visit the RDS on Easter Sunday, Ireland will have modest expectations in Le Mans against the French.

It’s seven years since Ireland last beat them in the Six Nations, while they’ve never won in France. In their last two meetings, Les Bleues have defeated them 93-8 on aggregate.

An Irish win would represent one of the all-time Six Nations shocks, and the Irish coaches and players are realistic