Two Changes On Ireland Women’s Team

Coach Philip Doyle has made two changes to his Ireland Women’s team for Saturday’s 6 Nations clash with Wales at Donnybrook (kick-off 2.30pm).

…The Ireland Women’s team line-up…

Coach Philip Doyle has made two changes to his Ireland Women’s team for Saturday’s 6 Nations clash with Wales at Donnybrook (kick-off 2.30pm).

In the starting line-up, Blackrock and Leinster scrum half Tania Rosser, is back in the number nine jersey, following her departure for personal reasons from the squad for their 32-0 loss in France, two weeks ago.

Louise Beamish, who took Rosser’s place, is back on the bench where she is joined by one new face – Rosie Foley, the lock who rejoins the squad for the first time since the end of last year’s campaign. The former Munster captain had her first baby last year but has been involved in club and Irish training in recent months.

Her return means that 20-year-old Clonakilty prop Laura Guest loses out on her squad place.

Wales are the only team that Ireland defeated in this competition last year – that victory was hugely important in that it qualified Ireland for the Women’s World Cup, to be played in Edmonton, Canada in September. It also meant that Wales were the only 6 Nations team to miss out on qualification, for the first time in their history, and that will give the visitors added incentive this weekend.

Ireland are coming off the back of 25-10 victory over Spain and a 32-0 defeat to current champions France.

IRELAND WOMEN (v Wales, Donnybrook, Saturday, February 25, 2.30pm):

Joanne O’Sullivan (Lichfield); Nuala Ni Chadhain (Galwegians), Lynne Cantwell (Trojans), Patrique Kelly (UL Bohemians), Suzanne Fleming (Cooke); Sarah Jane Belton (UL Bohemians) (capt), Tania Rosser (Blackrock); Fiona Coughlan (UL Bohemians) (vice-capt), Jean Lonergan (Shannon), Marie Barrett (Highfield), Caroline Mahon (UL Bohemians), Germaine Healy (Blackrock), Orla Brennan (Blackrock), Rachel Boyd (Cooke), Joy Neville (Shannon).

Replacements: Yvonne Nolan (Backrock), Gillian McAlister (Cooke), Rosie Foley (Shannon), Sinead Ryan (Navan), Amanda Greensmith (Shannon), Louise Beamish (UL Bohemians), Grace Davitt (Blackrock).