Ciara Griffin: Forget excuses, we should recognise the importance of nurturing talent and competitiveness

Dorothy Wall and Edel McMahon acknowledge supporters after their side's heavy defeat to England at Twickenham

Saturday marks the intriguing culmination of the Women's Six Nations, with all three fixtures resonating with relevance.

There's been significant discussion after Ireland's 88-10 thumping at Twickenham last week around the perceived inequality when Ireland, Scotland, and Wales face off against England. Critics argue it's unfair for nations still in the early stages of player contracts and professional pathway development to compete against the Red Roses. However, I see this as more of a convenient excuse, deflecting attention from decades of underfunding and neglect in their national women's XVs programs. 

Instead of blaming the RFU for building a formidable international program, we should recognise the importance of investing in domestic leagues to nurture talent and competitiveness. The English Premiership serves as a prime example, acting as a conveyor belt for player development with access to top-notch coaching. Rather than relying on international players migrating to England for exposure to such quality leagues, the IRFU, SRFU, and WRFU should prioritise investment in their own domestic setups to level the playing field.

The spotlight shines brightest on the title-deciding showdown between France and England, set to unfold in Bordeaux at 4.45pm. Both enter this final round undefeated. France delivered a comprehensive 40-0 win over Wales on Sunday last but it's the Red Roses who exude an aura of supreme confidence, buoyed by their commanding performance over Ireland at Twickenham.

Under the innovative guidance of Lou Meadows, England's new attacking system has shifted into overdrive, with backs and forwards seamlessly intertwining to craft an array of scoring opportunities from a single play. The synergy between the English players has been nothing short of remarkable, showcasing their ability to adapt and excel under pressure.

However, France remain undeterred, counting on the fervent support of their home crowd to propel them to an early advantage and disrupt England's aspirations of a third consecutive Grand Slam. The French squad have one less day’s recovery than England but they are poised to embrace the role of underdog, fuelled by the desire to rewrite the narrative and attempt to secure a memorable upset on their home soil.

Italy head to the Principality Stadium nursing wounds from their recent home defeat to Scotland. The Azzurri know that their fate for automatic World Cup qualification remains in their gift. Their sights are set on securing a bonus point victory against a Wales team grappling with form and cohesion issues this season. Italy will rely on the dynamic duo of D'Inca and Stefan to maintain their scintillating form and penetrate the Welsh defence. However, victory is far from assured as Wales, a fiercely proud nation, will be determined to deliver a strong final performance on home turf.

As the Ireland Women’s XV approach their final round game at home to Scotland, they still find themselves in a relatively positive position, bolstered by a promising display of improved skill levels throughout this tournament. This despite last week's staggering 88-10 defeat to England which wasn't part of Bemand's strategic blueprint. This eye-watering defeat underscores the depth of an attacking English squad. Ireland know and have acknowledged the need to rectify their mistakes and demonstrate a greater capacity to bounce back from adversity in order to become more robust during periods of prolonged attacking play.

Reflecting on the match, both McMahon and Bemand have emphasised the pivotal role momentum plays in shaping the outcome of games. While the Red Roses swiftly asserted their dominance, Ireland conceded too many unforced errors and allowed England to establish an early stronghold. The staggering count of 68 missed tackles by Ireland further compounded their challenges, highlighting the areas that demand immediate improvement.

Facing off against a formidable Scottish side, who have already clinched two away victories in this competition against Wales and Italy, Ireland are braced for a stern test at Belfast’s Kingspan Stadium. Scotland's mission is crystal clear: secure a victory to clinch automatic World Cup qualification and secure a commendable third-place finish. In contrast, Ireland harbour aspirations of their own, aiming to secure a second home win to reignite the belief in their prospects for automatic World Cup qualification and to steer the Scott Bemand era back on course. Both are acutely aware of the significance of Saturday's encounter, with the outcome likely to shape their trajectory moving forward.

Sunday at the Aviva Stadium marks a ground-breaking moment in Irish rugby history as both the women's and men's All Ireland League rugby finals will be held as a double header for the very first time. The excitement begins at 1.45 with the women's AIL final featuring table-topping UL Bohemians squaring off against Railway Union. Following this clash, at 4pm, the men's final kicks off, pitting Cork Constitution against Terenure College in what promises to be an exhilarating showdown.

For the women's AIL, this occasion represents a monumental milestone, marking the first time a women's rugby game will grace the hallowed turf of the Aviva Stadium since March 2014 when Ireland hosted Italy.

As fans eagerly anticipate this unprecedented double-header, Sunday's proceedings are poised to showcase the immense talent and dedication of club rugby players, both male and female, from across the country. With the Aviva Stadium set to reverberate with the cheers of supporters and the thunderous clash of rivals on the field, this day promises to be a memorable celebration of rugby excellence and stands as a historic even in Irish Rugby.