Kelly Burke is backing Ireland to end their Six Nations Women's Summer Series on a high following her significant impact off the bench in a losing cause against Italy.

Replacement hooker Burke crossed twice as her side tried in vain to overturn a 17-point deficit in the final 15 minutes, ultimately going down 24-17 in Parma.

Ireland have now lost each of their opening two matches following a 33-10 defeat against England in their opener but Burke believes that her team can dig deep to end their time in Italy with a win.

“We always give ourselves aims coming into matches and we have got some things to work-on from the Italy game,” she said. 

“We want to work on our attack and our execution in the Scotland game and just give it our all. It is our last game in the Summer Series and we want to go out with a bang.

“We all feel that we need to put in the effort for everyone on the team. It is a huge thing.

“If everyone does that and effort is shown, we can get a result against Scotland, 100 per cent.”

Burke is one of several of Niamh Briggs’ Ireland squad that the Women’s Summer Series was designed for.

Coming into the competition straight from Under-18s rugby, the hooker has relished the opportunity to gain vital experience against some of the best age-grade rugby players in the northern hemisphere. 

The Mullingar native comes from a Gaelic football background but after being invited to try rugby out, she fell in love with the game.

Finding her feet quickly, Burke was picked for the Midlands team for three consecutive years before Leinster came calling.

She captained Leinster’s Under-18 side before gaining international recognition and is now a member of the Women’s National Talent Squad.

The 19-year-old is touted for a bright future in green, with the Summer Series another building block in the direction of senior Test caps.

“I was delighted to be selected - my whole family was delighted,” Burke said. “I am from a small place in Ireland and everyone knew in the space of five minutes.

“To see my name on the list to go to Italy, I was shocked and I was amazed. All those emotions all at once. 

“I am just so grateful for the opportunity to be here and experience this level of rugby because I have just come up from Under-18s. 

“It is just brilliant to get this experience. It is amazing. The girls have been so supportive in everything I have tried to do. It has been brilliant.”

The Women’s Summer Series is available to fans all over the world via exclusive coverage on the Six Nations U20 YouTube channels, with supporting coverage across dedicated U20 Six Nations social media channels.