Monaghan hopes landmark day can further inspire Ireland

Ireland second row Sam Monaghan hopes Sunday's historic Women's Six Nations game against Scotland in Dublin can further inspire the current crop of Irish internationals, as well as future generations, to even greater heights.

A record crowd of almost 32,000 spectators watched the Irish team defeat the Scots 54-5 to claim third place in the championship in the first standalone women's rugby match to be played at the venue.

The occasion represented the latest ground-breaking milestone in the growth of the women's game and built on the progress made on and off the field in recent years.

"We were enjoying it, we were having the times of our lives and that is when we play our best rugby. I don't think I've seen us enjoy a game as much," Monaghan told BBC Sport NI's Ireland Rugby Social podcast, external.

"For anyone in the crowd now, it was like this is an opportunity for you. You can go play in the Aviva Stadium for your country, and hopefully it just gets bigger and better as well.

"Because at the minute, yes we are getting better, but we need to keep on top it, we can't stay stagnant, we need to keep on moving.

"The exciting thing is there is so much we can get better at, we can improve on."

The former Ireland co-captain made her first start of the Six Nations campaign in last weekend's victory, having come off the bench in the previous three matches and missed the opener away to England through injury.

Monaghan said the entire landmark day was one which would live long in her memory.

"As we came into the stadium it was like a sea of green. I actually wish we could have got off the bus and walked to the stadium from there. The atmosphere was insane.

"The weather didn't deter people. They were determined to stay out there and give us the best welcome we've ever had. I wish I could relive that moment again. You could see in all the parents' faces, how proud they were.

"To do it for for them, for everyone who has put on the jersey, for everyone in the crowd, was amazing."

Ireland scored 47 points without reply in an emphatic first-half performance and made the most of the post-match celebrations after making it three wins from three at home in this year's Six Nations.

"Doing the lap after the game was so special and something that will stand out in my memory for the rest of my life.

"It's hard to put into words, proud, just proud Irish women, to see all the players get recognised for their cap numbers. They had an event on afterwards and they revealed all of our cap numbers, so I'm number 248.

"From where it's come, even in the last couple of years. There are so many players deserved to be on that pitch as well.

"I think that's what I was feeling on the bus as well. I wish we could all go out and do it there together.

"You're playing for everyone. We're just the lucky ones who got to put on the jersey that day."

Monaghan added that she hopes the next step in the squad's journey could be an encounter against one of the top two teams in the competition at the Aviva Stadium next year.

"It's so amazing and I just hope the trajectory keeps going and we get a fixture next year against an England or a France [at the Aviva]. That would be something special.

"England would be my preference. It would be the fourth game in and both teams would really have sharpened their knives. It would be a great game.

"It's where we want to be, it's who we want to be competing against, the likes of France and England, and I think looking back on this tournament we could have given them more of a stab."

The 31-times capped lock says a strong work ethic and competition for places is continuing to drive the squad.

"The work the girls are putting in, it's the most competitive it's been in an Irish side. You can see on Sunday what it means to everyone playing.

"We really just wanted to put on a performance and that first half we really came out all guns blazing.

"The competition across the positions is making everyone so much better. It's coming down to fine margins in selection and that's what's galvanising this group too and making them better.

"We're all so hungry and so competitive. I think that's adding another element to our game as well."