Ireland back row Fiona Tuite says her side “have another gear” to reach in their Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France in Exeter on Sunday.
Scott Bemand’s side are playing their first knockout game in this competition since 2014 against a France side who beat them in this year’s Women’s Six Nations in Belfast.
Tuite believes Ireland have been building steadily through the pool stage for this game and they are ready to produce a big performance.
“I have no doubt we have another gear in us from a physical, speed and tactical point of view to really chase this game on Sunday,” she said.
“We have a next level and a new height to come for us as a squad.”
The 28-year-old missed Ireland’s 40-0 defeat against New Zealand in their final Pool C game with a knock but says she is fit and ready to go on Sunday having been named to start at Sandy Park.
“Body is feeling really good, I trained with the squad on Thursday, and I’ve been working really hard with the medics and physios to get fit and I’m raring to go now on Sunday,” she added.
“I picked up a knock against Spain and it was just too quick a turnaround for the game against New Zealand, I was gutted to miss that one.”
The Ulster player believes that the defeat against the Black Ferns will stand Ireland in good stead ahead of their meeting with France, who are also regarded as one of the world’s best sides.
“The girls effectively went through war last weekend; we took so many positives once we pushed the emotion of the loss aside and I think it has teed us up really nicely,” Tuite explained.
“We have played one of the best teams in the world, we are going to play another of the best teams in the world, so from a physical and tactical point of view, it will give us a real sharpness.
“This is knockout rugby, but we don’t change, we focus on ourselves and our process. We know it is do or die, so we’re buzzing.”
