Preview: Player development more important than result for Ireland againt England

"Do you know Ireland are playing England this Sunday?"

"Yeah, I hear they're sending half a team."

"Will you watch it?"

"I might check in and out."

Greg McWilliams doesn’t set too many red lines but getting casual fans of the women’s game to sit down and watch his team was one of the pre-tournament targets.

The Ireland head coach said he wanted people like his father and others like the man in the exchange above with this writer to look forward to the games, and to get involved in the side's new adventure after a tumultuous year.

And while the prospect of facing the best team in the world, who have won their last 15 home games in the tournament by an average of 34 points, without some of their more experienced players was always on the cards since before the start of this season’s TIkTok Women’s Six Nations, it doesn’t make their task any easier.

A couple of weeks ago, Eve Higgins, one of the players who will spend this weekend preparing with her sevens sisters for a World Series event in Langford next week, spoke about "doing what's best for the programmes".

A contracted professional, she will go where her bosses decide.

Everyone in the IRFU knows the story, so too rugby media and hardcore Irish fans: playing resources are scarce and must be split between two masters.

It’s far from ideal and increasing the player pool is a big part of the IRFU mission.

But for the casual fan, the ones targeted from the get-go, talk of pathways, programmes and funding models means little.

Ireland are about to face their strongest opponents in the heart of England in front of a record crowd at Welford Road and will do so with one hand tied behind their back.

"The casual supporter will look at that and go, 'This is Six Nations country and there’s a