Jones ready for 'hectic week' with club and country
Guinness Women's Six Nations: Ireland v FranceDate: Saturday, 22 March Kick-off: 13:00 GMT Venue: Kingspan StadiumCoverage: Watch on the Red Button, BBC iPlayer and online; follow live text commentary on BBC Sport NI website and app.
When Neve Jones belatedly arrives into Ireland's Six Nations camp on Monday, the hooker is hoping to have travelled with something special in her hand luggage. The reason for the 26-year-old's late arrival is her participation in Sunday's Premiership Women's Rugby final where she will seek a third winners' medal in three years when her Gloucester-Hartpury side take on Saracens at StoneX Stadium.While the use of central contracts from the Irish Rugby Football Union has kept plenty of Jones' international team-mates in Ireland, Gloucester quickly felt like home for the Ballymena woman who made the switch from Malone RFC in 2022."It feels like I only moved over yesterday but when I look back at all the memories, there's already lots of them," she told BBC Sport NI."I'm very glad to have moved here, Gloucester have been the perfect club for me."They've helped me develop all parts of my game and grow from strength to strength as a player."
Jones will again wear the number two jersey for Gloucester-Hartpury on Sunday as the side look to end Sean Lynn's tenure on a winning note.Their head of rugby will take over Wales women after the game having been a driving force behind the successes in recent seasons. "We're going to miss him. We wish him all the best going into his new job and it would be the ideal send off for him," said Jones."There's a good buzz around but we're excited to take the field and put on a performance."We'll play, hopefully win, and then fly over Monday to the rest of the girls in [Six Nations] camp and roll into another hectic week."
'We push each other to grow from strength to strength'
Ireland open their campaign against France in Belfast next Saturday with Scott Bemand's side returning to action for the first time since their successful WXV1 campaign in October.They kicked off their time in Canada with a win over New Zealand and, after a loss to the hosts, finished off with victory over USA.Having came third in last year's Six Nations, securing qualification for this year's World Cup in the process, Jones believes Ireland are "adding" to their game in each Test window."Over the last 12 to 18 months, we've grown hugely as a squad," she said."I think we always know it's going to be a challenge, but when we come in together we push each other to grow from strength to strength."Every time we come together, we're adding another layer to our game."Saturday's game against France may not be the only meeting between the sides this year, with a potential World Cup quarter-final a possibility too.Jones, however, says Ireland remain focused on the Six Nations."At the minute we're just looking at the Six Nations, that's the next thing on the calendar and we'll start with that and build into the year as it comes."After that we can look further onto the horizon, but until then we can just take it step by step."It's a very exciting time for the women's game but as players we know that come Monday it's France week and we're building in to play them."
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