Traditionally slow starters, Ireland came into their own after the break scoring 13 unanswered points in their 18-3 win with Neville and Tania Rosser both scoring second-half tries.

Under Kevin West’s guidance, the Irish women have been put through a gruelling fitness regime by strength and conditioning coach Sammy Dowling.

And former captain Neville believes the team are now starting to see the benefits of the hard yards they put in the build up to the Championship.

She said: “We are much fitter and more physical than we were in last year’s Championship.

“We have increased the amount of strength and conditioning work we have done under Sammy and now that it is bearing fruit.

“It has really come together and I think you saw that in the second half against Wales.

“The contests between Wales and ourselves are always tight and although we had not beaten them since 2005 the games have never had a lot of points in them.

“We are delighted to get the win and hopefully we can kick on against Scotland and really end our Championship on a high.”