There’ll be much soul-searching and head scratching once they’ve been put out of their misery, but right now, Ireland will lift their heads one last time in a bid to take something meaningful out of this Women’s Rugby World Cup.

The temptation is to say ‘game over’ for Ireland after the host nation came out a distant second-best in this win-or-bust Pool C decider against a slick French side in the Women’s Rugby World Cup at Belfield last night.

No-one did more to bail Ireland out than Jenny Murphy when Australia had them under the pump in their Pool C opener eight days ago.

No-one did more to bail Ireland out than Jenny Murphy when Australia had them under the pump in their Pool C opener eight days ago.

It’s not the job of the Ireland team to sell this Rugby World Cup but Tom Tierney’s side are doing more than anyone to make the wider public, both here and abroad, sit up and take notice of events at Belfield.

Ireland head coach Tom Tierney has named Cork woman Elaine Anthony in his side to take on their Italian counterparts at the Stadio Tommaso Fattori in L’Aquila on Sunday, as Ireland look to build on an injury-time win over Scotland last weekend.

Jenny Murphy scored a try in the final play of the night to snatch a dramatic victory for Ireland in difficult conditions.

Ireland women’s coach Tom Tierney has named five uncapped players in his Six Nations squad but it is the absence of former World Player of the Year nominee Sophie Spence that stood out.

When you’ve locked horns and beaten women’s rugby giants New Zealand and World Cup champions England in the recent past, taking on highly-ranked Canada isn’t quite the frightening prospect it could be.

With Kim Flood, Liz Burke and Claire McLaughlin set to make their debuts against Italy in Donnybrook tomorrow (1pm), Ireland coach Tom Tierney is continuing his development of new playing talent during this Six Nations campaign.

It’s already been a campaign featuring fresh faces and Ireland women’s coach Tom Tierney has continued with that policy for the side’s latest Six Nations outing, against Italy, at Donnybrook on Sunday at 1pm.

RBS Women’s 6 Nations

Hannah Tyrell won’t be lacking in confidence in her third outing for Ireland tomorrow afternoon against Wales.

Ireland coach Tom Tierney has made one enforced change from the side which defeated England for Sunday’s RBS Women’s 6 Nations game with Wales (Swansea, 12pm).

Most opposing players harbour painful memories of games against England’s Women, but few match those of Ailis Egan.

The last time England’s women paid a visit to Ashbourne they did it without a host of players diverted for duties with the national Sevens side.

Women’s Six Nations

Women’s Six Nations: Ireland’s opening 70 minutes against Italy bodes well for this Six Nations campaign, but Nora Stapleton insists the side aim to atone for a disappointing finish as they meet champions France in Ashbourne tonight.

Ireland’s U20s and Women’s: Both teams enjoyed ultimately comfortable openings to their respective Six Nations campaigns last Friday.

Italy 5 Ireland 30: Women’s Six Nations Championship: New captain Niamh Briggs led by example with a woman of the match performance as Ireland got their Six Nations campaign off to a winning start.

It’s only five months since Ireland made history at the Women’s Rugby World Cup by beating New Zealand in the pool stages and reaching the semi-finals, but the personnel changes since have been seismic.

WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP:

Ireland 7 England 40

Full-back Niamh Briggs has applauded the Irish support in France and at home, and hopes Ireland’s Rugby World Cup adventure continues to gain momentum.

New Zealand 14 Ireland 17

Tania Rosser will win her 50th international cap against her native New Zealand when Ireland face the World Cup champions in Paris this afternoon.

IRFU WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP POOL B:

Irish rugby history could be made next month when Lynne Cantwell takes part in her fourth World Cup.

France 19 Ireland 15

Ireland’s Lynne Cantwell will win her 83rd cap in tomorrow’s Six Nations clash with Grand Slam chasing France.

Ireland 39 Italy 0

England 17 Ireland 10

Ireland coach Philip Doyle has made two changes from the side that demolished Scotland for tomorrow night’s RBS Women’s Six Nations clash with Wales (Ashbourne, 7.30pm).

Ireland 50 Scotland 0

Irish coach Philip Doyle has gone with form ahead of tomorrow night’s Six Nations opener against Scotland in Ashbourne RFC (7.30pm).

Italy 3 Ireland 6

Standing on the cusp of a Grand Slam facing a side you beat 40-10 last year can be a precarious perch.