'Believing is one thing, doing is another' - McMahon

Edel McMahon came on as a 55th-minute replacement against France

Ireland co-captain Edel McMahon said her side cannot "get too ahead of" themselves before facing Italy in Rome on Sunday.

Scott Bemand's team lost their opener of the Women's Six Nations for the fourth season in a row against France in Belfast on Saturday but offered a strong showing in the 27-15 defeat.

While the side ranked fourth in the world had scored 56 and 53 points on their two most recent visits to Ireland, the hosts were just 17-15 behind in the final 10 minutes before France put a late gloss on the scoreline.

"The thing is not to get too ahead of ourselves knowing that we could have won," said McMahon, who was used as a second-half replacement.

"It's actually still about showing up. You can talk and talk and talk, but if you don't action and do, you're not going to earn it.

"As much as [against France] we knew we could have won that game, we still need to make sure we implement that plan. Believing is one thing, doing is another."

With McMahon named as a substitute, and her fellow co-captain Sam Monaghan absent through injury, wing Amee-Leigh Costigan led the side out at Kingspan Stadium with hooker Neve Jones serving as vice skipper.

McMahon felt it was "an easy pick" to have Costigan serve in her place.

"Leigh is just a leader in her own right," said the flanker.

"A lot of people were asking how I helped her out - you don't need to help Leigh, she's a leader in how she carries herself.

"It was an easy pick for her, the same as Neve Jones."

McMahon, who won her 31st cap against France, added that the pair "embody the core values of the Ireland squad.