Eve Higgins remembers a time when her Six Nations tradition meant a Friday night drive to Ashbourne to watch the women's match, followed by a Saturday trip to the Aviva Stadium with her dad for the men's game. Back then, the crowds at the County Meath venue were a far cry from the packed stands in Dublin 4. But the landscape of women's rugby has shifted dramatically, and this Sunday marks a historic moment: for the first time, the Aviva Stadium will host a stand-alone women's Six Nations fixture.

While a women's game against Italy in 2014 served as a curtain-raiser for the men's match, this weekend's final round against Scotland (kick-off 14:30 BST) is the main event. With over 28,000 tickets already sold, it has tripled the previous record of 9,206 fans who watched Ireland's opening home game against Italy in Galway back in April. The momentum is undeniable. Earlier this year, Ireland's clash with England at Twickenham drew a staggering 77,120 spectators, signaling a seismic shift in the sport's popularity.

For the 26-year-old centre, the prospect of playing in front of a record home crowd is "extremely special." But Higgins, who has been part of this journey for years, hopes this is just the beginning. "When we heard there were 20,000 tickets sold, we knew we were beating our record crowd," she told BBC Sport NI. "To do it again by three times that number is brilliant. We spoke three or four years ago about wanting to play at the Aviva, but we wanted to wait until we could fill it. We didn't want empty stands. Now, our first occasion in this stadium will be in front of 28,000-plus people. It shows what performances can do. We just want to put on a show."

It's been a championship that has largely followed form for Ireland, but with history on the line and a sea of green ready to roar them on, the stage is set for something special. For Higgins and her teammates, this isn't just a game—it's a statement.