Ireland aim to heal World Cup pain in Six Nations

Ireland aim to heal World Cup pain in Six NationsImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Ireland were beaten 18-13 by France to exit the World Cup at the quarter-final stage in their last game in SeptemberByLauren McCannBBC Sport NI JournalistPublished6 minutes agoSix months on from their heartbreaking World Cup exit to France at the quarter-final stage, the Ireland team has re-assembled for the Women's Six Nations with renewed vigour.That 18-13 defeat in Exeter is still fresh in their memory, but Scott Bemand's side are determined to use it as fuel to fire them to new heights in this year's championship.Under Bemand they have secured back-to-back third place finishes in the Six Nations, coming in 10 points behind France in second and 17 behind eventual winners England in 2025.So, what would success look like in this year's Six Nations?The goals are clear: close the gap further to the top two and finally pick up an elusive victory over France after some near misses.It will be a tough ask with their games against world champions England, who have won seven straight Six Nations titles and last lost a game in 2018, and France both coming away from home, but Bemand wants his side to prove they have reached another level."We've always said we don't want to be afraid to talk about winning; winning games and competitions," he said."The nice thing about how we've been tracking is that we had a good World Cup, but we didn't get what we wanted out of that quarter-final. We pushed France close, but we have to be another school better."It feels like a lifetime ago but it's been six months since we were last together and the squad continues to look stronger than the competition before and I think we're tacking in the right direction."Nine uncapped players for Ireland but Costigan outPublished18 MarchHead coach Bemand signs Ireland contract extensionPublished18 March'Ultimate honour' - King name...