As the Six Nations Championship kicks off, Ireland's scrum coach Denis Fogarty has issued a rallying cry, emphasizing that his team must seize the moment and "make a mark" in this year's tournament. The message is clear: Ireland cannot afford to be passive spectators in their own campaign.

The challenge begins immediately with a monumental opening fixture against hosts England at a sold-out Allianz Stadium this Saturday. Facing the reigning world champions, who are chasing an eighth straight title, Ireland is under no illusions about the task ahead. Fogarty pinpointed a key objective: dominating their home turf. "One goal for us is to win all our home games," he stated, reflecting on recent campaigns that fell short of expectations.

Learning from past performances is crucial. Last year's heavy 49-5 defeat to England, a match where the Irish scrum faced significant difficulties, remains a source of motivation. Fogarty openly acknowledged the sting of that performance, confirming the set-piece has been a major focus in preparation. "It has definitely hurt me and the players," he admitted, but stressed that the squad has worked tirelessly to ensure those weaknesses are addressed.

Beyond technical fixes, Fogarty highlighted the necessary shift in mindset. To compete with giants like England and France, Ireland must play with conviction from start to finish. "We want to turn one of those teams over," he declared, underlining the ambition to not just participate, but to dictate play and create upsets. As the team gears up in their performance apparel, the focus is on translating preparation into powerful, statement-making rugby on the field.