It may well be the most notorious train journey in Irish sporting history.

Ireland’s inexperienced women’s out-half Nikki Caughey thought there would be more nerves on her return to the team against Wales last weekend after a two-year absence with injury.

Much is expected of the Irish women today as they take to the fast-paced 4G surface at Donnybrook for the first time in the Six Nations, but captain Niamh Briggs as warned her players that they must make the Dublin venue a fortress.

Niamh Kavanagh scored two tries to break the back of Italian resistance as the Ireland Women’s team recorded their first Six Nations win off the season at Ashbourne last night.

Ireland fell heartbreakingly short in this thrilling Women’s Six Nations affair played in freezing conditions in Pau on Saturday.

Ireland go in search of a first away victory over France in the Women’s Six Nations Championship in Pau today.

Laura Guest has almost travelled full circle in her rugby career. She started off as an out-half and though unlikely to don the play-maker’s jersey ever again, is now back where likes to be, in the thick of the action.

Ireland coach Philip Doyle has named two uncapped players in his side for Friday’s Women’s 6 Nations clash against Wales (Ashbourne RFC, 7.30pm).