It has been hard to get space in people’s minds for the TikTok Women’s Six Nations this week as all attention has been focused on the men’s game and the Grand Slam decider between the Irish and English men’s team at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

In the immediate afterglow of that it is the turn of the U20’s chasing their own Grand Slam ambitions in Musgrave Park on Sunday.

But then, with barely a chance to draw breath for rugby fans, it will be the turn of the Women to shine.

This year’s tournament follows the same path as last year in taking place in a dedicated time frame and will get underway the weekend after next.

Ireland’s full fixtures are as follows:

Saturday 25th March 14:15 Wales Vs Ireland Cardiff Arms Park Live Coverage on RTÉ2

Saturday 1st April 15:15 Ireland Vs France Musgrave Park, Cork Live Coverage on Virgin Media One

Saturday 15th April 16:45 Italy Vs Ireland Parma Live Coverage on Virgin Media One

Saturday 22nd April 14:15 Ireland Vs England Musgrave Park, Cork Live Coverage on RTÉ2

Saturday 29th April 19:30 Scotland Vs Ireland Edinburgh Live Coverage on Virgin Media One

This will be the first year that the Irish team includes players on central contracts with around 30 players receiving support to play the game to a higher level and with a greater investment of their time.

The money is not life-changing for them but it does provide a baseline for players and an added attraction for some who might see the transition from other sports as being of interest.

A number of players including captain Nicola Fyday have chosen to remain playing on part-time contracts in England and France, and others have elected to stay in their existing careers outside the sport but they are also included in the squad.

Ireland’s failure to qualify for the 2022 Rugby World Cup was a stark reminder that the Women’s game had failed to capitalise on hosting that same tournament in the previous edition but it also served as a wake-up call and while thoughts of a Grand Slam in the Womens’ tournament may not be realistic in 2023 the sport is at least moving in the right direction.

Nobody will ever admit that some games are beyond them but a realistic barometer of success will be the three games against Wales, Scotland, and Italy.

An update on progress in the Women’s game will be published by the IRFU next Monday.