Ireland ready for Spanish test
Ireland will continue their preparation for the 6 Nations this weekend with a warm-up game against Spain Head coach Philip Doyle has named a 26-strong squad for the game on Sunday at Ashbourne RFC (12pm)
Published by Alison Donnelly, January 16th, 2013
2 minute read
The uncapped game will see Spain provide Ireland with a more than useful work-out just a couple of weeks after a narrow loss to Wales, who provide the Irish with their first opposition in this season’s 6 Nations.
Ireland’s preparation also included a visit to the Irish Army Camp in the Curragh last Saturday where the players were put through their paces on the assault course where the focus was on communication, team work and fitness.Speaking ahead of the match, team captainFiona Coghlansaid: "Playing Spain as a warm-up match for the Six Nations is a fantastic opportunity for us as a squad.
"It will allow us to see where we are as a squad and give players the opportunity to really put their hands up for selection.
"Whilst we train as we play and the intensity over the past number of weeks has been very high, it's is extremely beneficial to be able to play a match against another national side.
"I've no doubt that Spain will be tough opposition for us and will really challenge us on the field, so we're very much looking forward to getting out there next Sunday."
IRELAND WOMEN'S Squad (v Spain, Ashbourne RFC, Sunday, January 20, 12pm):
Backs (12) -Alison Miller (Connacht), Amy Davis (Ulster), Ashleigh Baxter (Ulster), Ashling Hutchings (Munster), Grace Davitt (Ulster), Jenny Murphy (Leinster), Larissa Muldoon (Exile), Lynne Cantwell (Exile), Niamh Kavanagh (Munster), Niamh Briggs (Munster), Nicole Fitzgerald (Munster), Shannon Houston (Leinster).
Forwards (14) -Ailis Egan (Leinster), Claire Molloy (Exile), Fiona Coghlan (Leinster) (capt), Fiona Hayes (Munster), Gillian Bourke (Munster), Heather O'Brien (Munster), Joy Neville (Munster), Laura Guest (Munster), Lauren Day (Exile), Leigh Dargan (Exile), Marie Louise Reilly (Leinster), Siobhan Fleming (Munster), Sophie Spence (Exile), Stacey-Lea Kennedy (Ulster).