Ireland name six new faces for London clash
Ireland have named six uncapped players in their side to play England at the Twickenham Stoop this Saturday night.
Published by Alison Donnelly, November 10th, 2015
3 minute read
Jeamie Deacon and Mairead Coyne are named on the wing with Aine Donnelly starting in the Centre while in the packCliodhna Moloney comes into the front row with Elaine Anthony and Ciara Cooney named in the second row.
It is the first time Ireland have ever played in an Autumn test game - preferring mostly to play warm-up games for the Six Nations closer to the tournament and often not playing any test games at all in between the events.Head Coach Tom Tierney said, "We are looking forward to the game this weekend. It's the first time we have played an Autumn International which is another step in the development in women's rugby. We have an opportunity to have a look at some new players and combinations building towards the 6 nations.”Ireland play an England side who lost11-0 to Francelast weekend away from home but who will have the benefit of a game under their belts.
While inexperienced, Ireland have named some stalwarts too and a backrow that includes World Player of the Year nominee Sophie Spence as well as two players currently playing league rugby in France, will give Ireland one real area of strength.
Experienced captain Niamh Briggs is back in the number 15 shirt but elsewhere there is a real feel of freshness about the reigning Six Nations champions.
Ireland Women's Squad (ahead of England Women v Ireland Women, The Stoop, Saturday 14th November 2015)15 Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemian/Munster) Capt14 Jeamie Deacon (Blackrock/ Leinster)*13 Aine Donnelly (Cill Dara/ Leinster)*12 Jackie Shiels (Richmond/ Exiles)11 Mairead Coyne (Galwegians/ Connacht)*10 Sene Naoupu (Galwegians/ Connacht)9 Larissa Muldoon (Skewen/ Exile)1 Ruth O'Reilly (Galwegians/ Connacht)2 Cliodhna Moloney (Railway Union/ Leinster)*3 Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)4 Elaine Anthony (Highfield/ Munster)*5 Ciara Cooney (Galwegians/ Connacht)*6 Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)7 Paula Fitzpatrick (Stade Toulousain)8 Heather O'Brien (Stade Toulousain)16 Zoe Grattage (Tralee/ Munster)*17 Fiona Reidy (UL Bohemian/ Munster)18 Fiona O'Brien (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)19 Katie Norris (Blackrock/ Leinster)20 Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/ Leinster)*21 Mary Healy (Galwegians/ Connacht)*22 Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)23 Claire McLaughlin (Queens University/ Ulster)*