Assistant coach Alan O’Connor admits Ireland must be “more clinical” as they attempt to turn the page on last month’s Women’s Six Nations loss to France.
Despite a dominant first-half performance, Ireland were level at 7-7 with the French at half-time in Clermont before the hosts surged clear to win 26-7.
And having regrouped during the tournament’s fallow week, the Irish aim to get back on track when they welcome Wales to Affidea Stadium on Saturday (18:30 BST, live on BBC One Wales, BBC Two NI & BBC iPlayer).
“We had a good week last week, we trained twice. There was a lot of good from that French game, so we’re just trying to build on that,” said forwards coach O’Connor.
“The first half was really good. I think we got close to the line around 12 times, but we just weren’t clinical enough. Building on that, we just need to be more clinical.”
Ireland have lost two of their first three games in this year’s tournament, having suffered a 33-12 reverse to England before an emphatic 57-20 victory over Italy.
With an away win over England or France no longer possible, they still have the chance to end the competition with a perfect home record, with Scotland visiting Dublin’s Aviva Stadium after the Wales game in Belfast.
“I think we can move the ball maybe a bit more as a forward pack and get more short passes in our game,” O’Connor added when asked what improvements were required.
“Wales’ strength would probably be the set-piece. They’re good at the breakdown so we need to make sure we’re on the money there.”
O’Connor joined Scott Bemand’s backroom team in January as a replacement for Alex Codling, having left Ulster last year following 13 years at the province.
And the 33-year-old says he has loved cutting his coaching teeth with the national side after his playing career failed to yield a Test cap for the men’s team.
“The girls are great. There’s a lot of passion for the badge and the country,” he said.
“Me being involved with Ireland, it’s always been a dream of mine so to be back down here wearing the green shirt as a coach is class for me.”
