It has been quite the 2024 for Munster fly-half Kate Flannery, who has put herself in a great position to achieve her dream with Ireland in 2025.
The Munster and UL Bohs out-half was key to her side winning an AIL last season, and was also part of the Ireland U20 side in the Six Nations.
The 20-year-old is also on the radar of the senior side, having been included in an extended panel with Scott Beamend's side earlier this year.
With Irish Women's Rugby on the up after some difficult years, and a World Cup on the horizon, Flannery says it would be a dream to be part of it.
"It is so exciting. It would be such a huge opportunity, something I would have dreamt about when I was younger to play in a World Cup aganst countries all over the world.
"Being in the training squad, and getting a fell for what it is like, just makes you want it more and more.
"As Ireland is getting better, the competition is growing so I just have to keep contining to get as good as I can, and performing and take my opportunites as they come.
"It would be amazing to even get in a training squad prior to the World Cup, so that is a goal of mine."
Ireland's fortunes on the pitch in the space of a year show how quickly the team has adapted to Scott Beamand's management.
From a wodden spoon Six Nations finish in 2023 and missing out on the last World Cup, to defeating New Zealand and Australia and competing in WXV1, it shows how quickly things can change.
Flannery is hoping to take inspiration from this, particuraly in two Ireland players Aoife Waefar and Erin King, who were up for World Rugby awards.
"I remember when I was in camp and I was sitting beside Aoife Waefer and she would have been helping me out, she is just such a good athtlete.
"It just shows her resiliance. She is so young but she has gone through so many injuries already where she has not been able to play. She gets into one or two competitions and she shows the world how good she is.
"Same with Erin King. She gets her first cap against Australia, and then in WXV1 she stands out and is one of the most important players.
"It shows once you get a good opportunity and really take it, yiu get noticed. It doesn't all have to happen quick, you put pressure on yourself and forget how young you are.
"It shows eventually if I get an opportunity to take it, and see what happens."
