Mature Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald relishing a second bite at a Rugby World Cup
The Exeter Chiefs player has had a truly remarkable Ireland career, not least highlighted by her two cracks at the World Cup.
She is the only remaining member from the 2017 squad, who limped to an eighth place finish on home soil.
Come 2021, Ireland had to try and qualify off their own bat but fell to a shock loss to Scotland in the play-offs, and missed out on the tournament, a result that sent shockwaves around the game.
Moloney-MacDonald was outspoken about the issues at the time and was in exile from selection for an extended period before a recall last year.
With that in mind, it is somewhat fitting that Moloney's third cap post recall was in the game where Ireland ultimately qualified for this year's event.
Their opponents that day was Scotland, so there's a nice rivalry bubbling along.
The Scots "got one over on us in the last game of the Six Nations" according to scrum coach Denis Fogarty, so Ireland will be extra motivated to start their World Cup journey on a high down in Cork.
"I don't think it matters too much that it is Scotland [next up], but we definitely were disappointed to lose to them in the Six Nations. That game is not one we should have lost we feel", said the Ireland veteran.
"We will want to put those things right in ourselves, just in terms of performance and things we got wrong that day, we want to tidy up on them.
"I think it is more about performing as a team, in the way that we want to play, and the way that we want to approach this World Cup."
Hooker Cliodhna Moloney says Ireland are hoping to get the fans on board during their upcoming warm-up games for the World Cup - a tournament Aoife Wafer is now expected to play some part in, despite undergoing knee surgery #RWC2025 pic.twitter.com/YIbLds0vUR
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 30, 2025
Ireland come into this tournament without the likes of Erin King and Dorothy Wall, who also featured in qualification last time around, so there's an onus on the experienced Moloney-MacDonald and others like her, to lead this young squad through their latest challenge.
That being said, the Exeter star seems in awe of the progress made over the last eight years and feels well positioned through her spell in England, to be able to pass on her depth of knowledge to those who come asking.
"Women's rugby has advanced a lot so while I think I might have experience, I have been around a long time, I do know a lot of players from other countries and have experience playing against a lot of countries", said the Galway woman.
"Even at a club level over in England, I would have experience playing against a lot of these teams and players from these teams.
"So, I think that's more of a point of experience rather than having been at a World Cup or not.
"One thing I would add is that the length of the tournament is probably the biggest thing people need to prepare for.
"It's a long and intense tournament, and it's a very intense environment.
"Media presence and pressure will be at the most intense it's ever been for anyone, and I don't think anyone can prepare you for that, other than your own personal preparation and focus."
There is undoubtedly a feel-good factor around Irish women's rugby that is long-overdue.
The World Cup being so close to home will add to that, with thousands of Irish fans expected to descend on Northampton and Brighton to watch the girls in green take on Japan, Spain and reigning champions New Zealand in the pool stages.
There's even a marketability around the women's stars that wasn't there before.
The likes of Aoife Wafer and Erin King have received individual honours for their Ireland form, while there are six Olympians in the squad following the exploits in Paris.
This in turn with initiatives like the 'Green Wave' is helping to put the Ireland women's rugby team front and centre of national support, which in turn is a real motivation for the squad.
When asked about recent social media competitions for example, Moloney said: "We just want to increase engagement and get the fans involved.
"We want performances from these games, but we also want to feel the support from the fans and try to encourage as many people as possible to watch the games, get over to England, pick up tickets and support us in any way they can.
"It's another way to engage with our fans, try and bring more people on board and follow us over the water."
Although a victory will be front and centre of their minds, there is a sense that this World Cup will surpass 2017, and right the wrongs of 2021.
"It's an amazing opportunity, it's so close to home, hopefully everyone's family and friends will be there, or as many of them as possible," added Moloney-MacDonald.
"It's hard to put into words and people will experience in their own way, but it's a very special opportunity for this group."
Ireland kick-off preparations at home to Cork on Saturday afternoon before a stiff challenge against Canada a week later.
From there it will be all eyes on England where Scott Bemand's squad will look to emulate the glory of 2014, and go where the men's team has never gone, by returning to the last four of a Rugby World Cup.
With the likes of Moloney-MacDonald, Edel McMahon and the returning Sam Monaghan leading from the front and exciting superstars-in-waiting alongside them, there might be a green wave descending on England come the end of August.
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