World Cup return 'surreal' for Ireland - Monaghan

Ireland co-captain Sam Monaghan plays for Premiership Women's Rugby champions Gloucester-Hartpury

Women's Rugby World Cup - Pool C: Ireland v Japan

Venue: Franklin's Gardens, Northampton Date: Sunday, 24 August Kick-off: 12:00 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sport website and app.

Ireland co-captain Sam Monaghan says it will be "a surreal moment" when the long wait for the side to play at a Rugby World Cup finally ends on Sunday.

Stepping out against Japan for an opening Pool C fixture at Franklin's Gardens in front of a sellout crowd will be the culmination of three years preparation for just such an occasion.

Since failing to qualify for the last World Cup in 2022, and then finishing bottom of the Six Nations without a win the following year, Ireland have worked relentlessly to turn things around and want to show the world they are now a force to be reckoned with by going deep into this tournament.

"It will be such a special moment for the whole squad, but once we cross the whitewash it's going to be all about that 80 minutes and trying to go as hard as we can," said Monaghan.

"We have been building towards this for the last three years really, but there is no pressure, we're going to do what we do, focus on us and enjoy it as much as we can."

'We want to go the whole way'

Now the tournament has actually got underway, and the reality sinks in, Ireland are embracing the experience.

Eight years on from the last Ireland women's rugby team to play at a World Cup, this ever-improving and engaging bunch of women are not afraid to talk about their hopes and dreams for what can be achieved over the next month, or even longer.

"We want to go the whole way, and we have got a great squad with the passion and drive to do so," Monaghan said.

"It is going to be a long tournament and we are not shying away from that either, how tough it's going to be, but we have risen to every challenge we've had so far.

"We watched the opening game [England's win over the USA on Friday night] and we all had fire in our bellies watching it, we wanted to play there and then, but we just have to stay cool until [Sunday] and then unleash it all then."

Edel McMahon (left) and Sam Monaghan were appointed co-captains of Ireland in 2023

Ireland trained in the quiet surroundings of Franklin's Gardens on Saturday morning, quite the contrast from the incredible engine noise that could be heard on Friday at their team hotel, which is only a couple of miles from Formula 1 track Silverstone.

Intent on not being one of the backmarkers at World Cup, Ireland aim to lay down a marker and get off to a flying first lap at this tournament.

"We have tried out loads of combinations in the pre-season, and we are quite confident going into this game," Monaghan said.

"Japan are a well-organised team, but we will definitely get after them and try to get a fast start and hope we can bring a physical edge from minute one."

Monaghan was absent for over a year with an ACL injury sustained playing for English club champions Gloucester-Hartpury in June 2024.

She was back just in time for the World Cup warm-up games against Scotland and Canada this month, both of which were missed by her co-captain Edel McMahon through injury.

Sunday's game will be the pair's first time playing together since the 2024 Six Nations.

Monaghan has timed her run well to get back in time for the World Cup but is mindful that others, such as Dorothy Wall, Erin King and Christy Haney, were not so lucky.

"It was a tough road and there were dark days in the gym and times when you felt close to feeling like an athlete again and you'd have another setback.

"But brilliant leaders have emerged in this group who put their arms around me and pushed me on. It is sixteen months since myself and Tricky [McMahon] last played together and she is a great force to have on the pitch so it's exciting to get out there again."