Ireland assistant coach John McKee discusses team’s approach ahead of crucial Women’s Six Nations clash against Scotland

Ireland assistant coach John McKee is confident that his team’s approach to their final Women’s Six Nations game against Scotland will not be swayed by the outcome of Saturday’s opening match between Wales and Italy. The stakes are high as all three teams – Scotland, Ireland, and Italy – are competing for the coveted third-place finish that guarantees a spot at next year’s Women’s World Cup.

Currently, Scotland holds the third position with eight points, while Italy and Ireland trail closely behind with six points each. McKee emphasized that regardless of the table standings, Ireland’s focus remains on delivering a strong performance on the field.

After a challenging start to the tournament with losses to France and Italy, Ireland bounced back with a convincing win over Wales before suffering a heavy defeat against England. McKee praised the team’s resilience and determination to improve, highlighting their progress in key areas such as scrummaging, line-outs, and place kicking.

Looking ahead to the clash with Scotland at Kingspan Stadium, McKee expects a closely contested match against a well-balanced Scottish side. He acknowledged the strength of Scotland’s forward pack and the changes in their backline, emphasizing the need for Ireland to be at their best to apply pressure on their opponents.

Despite finishing at the bottom of the table in the previous year’s competition, McKee is optimistic about the growth and development of the Irish squad. He noted the increased depth in the team and their improved conditioning and resilience, which have been crucial in their performance throughout the tournament.

With both teams eager to secure a victory and a potential World Cup spot, the stage is set for an intense and competitive showdown between Ireland and Scotland. Fans can catch all the action live on BBC Two NI, BBC iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website on Saturday from 14:15 BST.