6 Nations 2016: Round 3 Preview

We look ahead to the third round of games in the women's Six Nations. We'll post all the team news here as and when we get it.

Published by Alison Donnelly, February 24th, 2016

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6 Nations 2016: Round 3 Preview

ENGLAND v IRELANDSaturday 27th, Twickenham Stadium, 7.15pmWatch it live on EnglandRugby.com.

England have won their opening two matches, against Scotland and Italy – their best start in the Six Nations since 2012 and their only home defeat in their last nine tests was 15-21 to France at Twickenham Stadium in round 5 last year.

Ireland by contrast were defeated by France in Perpignan in the last round but they have not lost successive matches in the tournament since 2012.

The two sides face different motivations this weekend. Ireland simply have to win to have any chance of defending their title but they have never beaten England away and indeed have only beaten England twice in 22 meetings. Both of those wins though were relatively recent - in 2013 and 2015 - so they will not travel without confidence.

England coach Scott Bemand has made one change to the starting XV with Emma Croker starting at hooker, while Tamara Taylor returns to the squad to start on the bench and earn her 89th England cap.

Captain Sarah Hunter said: "We can't wait to run out there at Twickenham. This is our first home game of the Six Nations and there's no better place to play.We have the momentum to build on from our first two games and have improved with both of them but we'll be taking the game as a standalone event and are looking forward to what will be a tough challenge.”

Ireland coach Tom Tierney has made two change to his side.  In the pack, Tralee's Ciara Griffin, who won her second cap against the French, is handed her first Six Nations start at flanker. Paula Fitzpatrick shifts to number 8 and Heather O'Brien moves to the replacements.

In the backs, there is a straight swap at out-half where the experienced Nora Stapleton comes in for Nikki Caughey who will provide back-up from the bench.

Prop Fiona Hayes, who was last involved in Ireland's final game of the 2015 Six Nations, has been added to the replacements.

Tierney is looking forward to the challenge that awaits his team at Twickenham, saying: "While the result in France didn't go our way, I thought there were a lot of positives to take from that game and we will be looking to carry them into this fixture. We made too many unforced errors in Perpignan, so if we can rectify that I think we have got a very good chance on Saturday

"Twickenham is a special place to play, so it will be a great experience for the girls, but it is important that we go there looking to perform and hopefully come away with a result."

Fans can watch the game at Twickenham for free.The women's match will kick-off at 7.15pm, following conclusion of the men's RBS 6 Nations game against Ireland, which gets underway at 4.50pm.  Selected gates will be open at the end of the men's game to allow free access to view the women's match.

Ireland:15. Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster) (capt), 14. Elise O'Byrne White (Old Belvedere/Leinster), 13. Aine Donnelly (Cill Dara/Leinster), 12. Sene Naoupu (Galwegians/Connacht), 11. Mairead Coyne (Galwegians/Connacht), 10. Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), 9. Larissa Muldoon (Skewen), 1. Ruth O'Reilly (Galwegians/Connacht), 2. Cliodhna Moloney (Railway Union/Leinster), 3. Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster), 4. Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster), 5. Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster), 6. Ciara Griffin (Tralee/Munster), 7. Claire Molloy (Bristol), 8. Paula Fitzpatrick (Toulouse)Replacements:16. Zoe Grattage (Tralee/Munster), 17. Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemians/Munster), 18. Fiona Reidy (UL Bohemians/Munster), 19. Ciara Cooney (Railway Union/Leinster), 20. Heather O'Brien (Toulouse), 21. Mary Healy (Galwegians/Connacht) 22. Nikki Caughey (Railway Union/Ulster), 23. Jackie Shiels (Richmond)

England:15. Katie Mason (Bristol, 7 caps), 14. Lydia Thompson (Worcester, 19 caps), 13. Lauren Cattell (Saracens, 15 caps), 12. Ceri Large (Worcester, 44 caps), 11. Lotte Clapp (Saracens, 4 caps), 10. Amber Reed (Bristol, 26 caps), 9. La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park, 51 caps), 1. Rochelle Clark (Worcester, 107 caps), 2. Emma Croker (Richmond, 60 caps), 3. Vickii Cornborough (Richmond, 11 caps), 4. Abbie Scott (Darlington Mowden Park, 12 caps), 5. Emily Braund (Lichfield, 20 caps), 6. Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield, 28 caps), 7. Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol, 14 caps), 8. Sarah Hunter (Bristol, 75 caps)Replacements:16. Amy Cokayne (Lichfield, 10 caps), 17. Heather Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park, 4 caps), 18. Bee Dawson (Wasps, 2 caps), 19. Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park, 88 caps), 20. Poppy Leitch (Bristol, 1caps), 21. Bianca Blackburn (Worcester, 10 caps), 22. Ruth Laybourn (Darlington Mowden Park, 14 caps), 23. Leanne Riley (Richmond, 7 caps)

The Ireland team has not been named yet.

ITALY v SCOTLANDSunday 28th, Campo Arcoveggio, 2.30pm (local time)

Italy have, like last season, started their Six Nations campaign with a pair of defeats, however last year they won their remaining three games and this year's fixtures suggest they could well do so again. Their opening game with France was disappointing but in scoring four tries against Italy their attacking tails will be up.

Italy have clearly targeted this game for a win - indeed a win would technically confirm Italy's place in World Cup - and they have launched "Project Sorellanza [Sisterhood]", with 28 of Italy's top sportswomen sending video messages of support to the team.

Scotland are without a victory in the Six Nations since they beat France at Lasswade in 2010 and they haven't won away from home in the tournament since they beat Spain in Madrid in 2006. However they are undoubtedly showing much improvement since last season and this is a game they will surely have targeted. Coach Shade Munro has named two changes to the team -Elidh Sinclair, who made her debut against Italy in 2014, replaces injured Lauren Harris on the wing, and Jennifer Maxwell will start at scrum-half. The changes mean Sarah Law moves to the bench and RHC Cougars stand-off Claire Bain joins the squad.

Munro said: "The players and coaches have a real desire to keep building on our improved performances. The effort from the squad in the lead-up to, and during, this Six Nations campaign has been immense. We went out strong against England and showed what we are capable of defensively. Wales was another tough match, but all 23 played with pride and passion for the thistle. We're now looking forward to the challenge ahead in Italy, which is another step on our journey towards closing the gap with other nations.”

Italy: 1 Elisa Cucchiella (Belve Neroverdi, 54 caps); 2 Lucia Cammarano (Rugby Monza 1949, 10 caps); 3 Melissa Bettoni (Rennes, Francia, 27 caps); 4 Elisa Pillotti (Rugby Parabiago, 1 cap); 5 Aice Trevisan (Rugby Riviera Del Brenta, 31 caps); 6 Michela Este (Benetton Rugby Treviso, 45 caps); 7 Isabella Locatelli (Rugby, Monza 1949, 3 caps); 8 Elisa Giordano (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 13 caps); 9 Sara Barattin (Rugby Casale, 64 caps) – capitano; 10 Veronica Schiavon (Rugby Riviera Del Brenta, 77 caps); 11 Sofia Stefan (Rennes, Francia, 24 caps); 12 Beatrice Rigoni (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 13 caps); 13 Maria Grazia Cioffi (US Rugby Benevento, 38 caps); 14 Maria Magatti (ASD Rugby Monza 1949, 12 caps); 15 Manuela Furlan (Benetton Rugby Treviso, 48 caps)Replacements:16 Lucia Gai (Rugby Riviera Del Brenta, 39 caps); 17 Gaia Giacomoli (Rugby Colorno, 1 caps); 18 Diletta Nicoletti (Rugby Bologna 1928, 0 cap); 19 Valentina Ruzza (Valsugana R. Padova, 10 caps); 20 Ilaria Arrighetti (Rennes, Francia, 18 caps); 21 Silvia Folli (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 0 cap); 22 Paola Zangirolami (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 64 caps); 23 Veronica Madia (Rugby Colorno, 0 cap)

Scotland:1 Tracy Balmer (Worcester RFC); 2 Lana Skeldon* (Hillhead/Jordanhill); 3 Lindsey Smith (Hillhead/Jordanhill); 4 Emma Wassell* (Murrayfield Wanderers); 5 Deborah McCormack (Richmond RFC); 6 Jemma Forsyth (Hillhead/Jordanhill); 7 Karen Dunbar (RHC Cougars / Edinburgh University); 8 Jade Konkel (Hillhead/Jordanhill);; 9 Jennifer Maxwell (Leeds Beckett University / Lichfield RFC); 10 Lisa Martin* (Murrayfield Wanderers);11 Rhona Lloyd (Murrayfield Wanderers / Edinburgh University); 12 Lisa Thomson* (Melrose RFC / Edinburgh University); 13 Megan Gaffney (Hillhead/Jordanhill); 14 Eilidh Sinclair* (Murrayfield Wanderers); 15 Chloe Rollie* (Murrayfield Wanderers)Replacements; 16 Sarah Quick (Murrayfield Wanderers); 17 Debbie Falconer (Stirling County / Stirling University); 18 Heather Lockhart (Hillhead/Jordanhill); 19 Fiona Sim (Saracens RFC); 20 Anna Stodter (Saracens RFC); 21 Sarah Law* (Murrayfield Wanderers / Edinburgh University); 22 Claire Bain (RHC Cougars); 23 Abigail Evans (Hillhead/Jordanhill

WALES v FRANCEThe Gnoll, Sunday 28th February, 2pm

Wales Women ended a four game losing run with their 23-10 victory over Scotland at The Gnoll in round 2 and they have not won successive home games since 2012. They face an in-form French side who have lost just one of their last 13 Six Nations fixtures   - the 12-17 away to Italy in round 4 last year.

The two countries have met on 21 previous occasions with Wales’ three victories all coming between 2006- 2008.

Mindful perhaps of the threat France pose up front, Wales coach Rhys Edwards has added power to his pack with Catrin Edwards, Shona Powell-Hughes and Rachel Taylor all fit and named to come into the side and he has also split his bench 6-2 with six forwards and two backs. The only other change in the starting team sees Bethan Dainton replace Adi Taviner on the wing."It's good to have Tails [Rachel Taylor] back where her experience and ability will be crucial against a championship-chasing France side," said Edwards. "Alisha Butchers played well against Scotland but competition for places is extremely tough in our back row but it's great to know we have someone of her ability to come off the bench to make an impact."Edwards is expecting a tough battle up front against France so has split his bench 6-2 with six forwards and two backs."It's going to be a tough game up front physically, but we are confident that we can compete with the pack that we have selected. The back-line against Scotland showed their attacking intent, and with Bethan coming in we have somebody who can finish tries. We need to ensure we maximise the opportunities that we create," he added.Wales:1 Catrin Edwards (Scarlets/ Llandaff North), 2 Carys Phillips (Ospreys/ Skewen), 3 Megan York (Dragons / Ynysddu), 4 Rebecca Rowe (Dragons / Richmond), 5 Shona Powell-Hughes (Ospreys / Skewen), 6 Rachel Taylor  (Dragons / Caernarfon - Captain), 7 Sian Williams (Worcester / Dragons), 8 Sioned Harries (Whitland/Scarlets); 9 Keira Bevan (Ospreys/ Skewen), 10 Elinor Snowsill (Dragons / Bristol), 11 Elen Evans (Scarlets / Caernarfon) 12 Robyn Wilkins (Ospreys / Llandaff North), 13 Hannah Jones (Scarlets / Penybanc),  14 Bethan Dainton (Bristol / Dragons), 15 Dyddgu Hywel(Scarlets / Pontyclun)Replacements:16 Amy Price (Ospreys/ Skewen), 17 Cerys Hale (Dragons/ Pontyclun), 18 Amy Evans (Ospreys / Skewen), 19 Siwan Lillicrap (Ospreys/ Skewen), 20 Alisha Butchers (Scarlets/ Penybanc), 21 Jenny Hawkins (Scarlets / Llandaff North), 22 Kerin Lake (Ospreys/ Skewen), 23 Adi Taviner (Ospreys/ Skewen)

France:1 Lise Arricastre (Lons); 2 Gaëlle Mignot (Montpellier); 3 Julie Duval (Ovalie Caennaise); 4 Audrey Forlani (Blagnac -Saint Orens); 5 Céline Ferer (Bayonne); 6 Pauline Rayssac (Montpellier); 7 Laetitia Grand (Lons); 8 Safi N’diaye (Montpellier); 9 Yanna Rivoalen (Lille –Metropole RC Villeneuvois); 10 Audrey Abadie (Blagnac -Saint Orens); 11 Laura Delas (Tarbes); 12 Elodie Poublan (Montpellier); 13 Lucille Godiveau (Bobigny); 14 Caroline Boujard (Montpellier); 15 Julie Billes (Montpellier)Replacements:16 Agathe Sochat (Stade Bordelais ASPTT); 17 Arkya Ait Lahbib ; 18 Romane Menager (Lille –Metropole RC Villeneuvois); 19 Julie Annery (Bobigny); 20 Laure Sansus (Stade Toulousain); 21 Camille Imart (Stade Toulousain); 22 Coralie Bertrand (Stade Toulousain); 23 Patricia Carricaburu (Lons)

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