Ireland want to 'leave legacy' at World Cup - Moloney-MacDonald

Ireland are determined to "leave a legacy" and contribute to the growth of Irish women's rugby at this year's World Cup, says Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald.

After failing to qualify for the 2022 tournament, Ireland return to the biggest stage for the first time in eight years off the back of an encouraging third-place finish in this year's Six Nations.

Developing the women's game in Ireland is one of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU)'s key strategic priorities.

"The overall plan and strategy is about growing the game in Ireland," said Moloney-MacDonald.

"That's always in the back of our minds. When we travel over to England, the lucky ones that get to go, we want to bring the support with us but we also want to leave a legacy from this World Cup, in terms of performance and how we are supported by the Irish people."

Exeter Chiefs hooker Moloney-MacDonald, one of Ireland's most experienced players, was previously critical of the IRFU's handling of the women's game, which led to her exile from the international squad.

She has, however, praised the positive changes overseen by Scott Bemand, who took over as head coach in 2023 and recalled Moloney-MacDonald during the 2024 Six Nations.

And Moloney-MacDonald, who made her Ireland debut in 2015, believes the World Cup could prove critical in driving support for the team.

"It's been thrown around a lot, like a game-changing moment for women's rugby," she added.

"But I do really think with the amount of support that's in and around this part of the world for women's rugby it'll be a point in time we'll look back on and say 'that's where the tide turned' and support really got ploughed in for everyone this side of the world, particularly for rugby and the growth of the game."

Ireland host Scotland in Cork on Saturday and welcome Canada to Belfast on 9 August in their two World Cup warm-up games, with both matches being shown live on the BBC.