Ireland Women’s Squad Announced For RBS 6 Nations

An Ireland Women’s squad of 31 players has been named for the forthcoming Women’s RBS 6 Nations Championship. Head coach Philip Doyle has included a number of seasoned internationals alongside some new faces who have emerged this season.

Speaking of his selection, Philip Doyle said: “I’m delighted with the squad this year. We have a lot of young and upcoming players coming through the system.

“The selection was the toughest since the Women’s World Cup last year which bodes well for the forthcoming Six Nations Championship.”

The Ireland Women open their campaign with a home fixture against Wales on Friday, February 3 and will again make Ashbourne RFC in Meath their home for the tournament.

IRELAND WOMEN’S Squad (2012 RBS 6 Nations Championship):

Christine Arthurs (Tralee – Connacht)*
Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins – Ulster)*
Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians – Munster)
Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians – Munster)
Helen Brosnan (Highfield – Munster)
Lynne Cantwell (Exile)
Nikki Caughey (Belfast Harlequins – Ulster)*
Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians – Leinster)
Amy Davis (Blackrock – Leinster)
Grace Davitt (Cooke – Ulster)
Lauren Day (Cooke – Ulster)
Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere – Leinster)
Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary’s – Leinster)*
Siobhan Fleming (Tralee – Munster)*
Laura Guest (Highfield – Munster)
Shannon Houston (Blackrock – Leinster)
Ashling Hutchings (UL Bohemians – Munster)*
Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians – Munster)
Stacey-Lea Kennedy (City of Derry – Ulster)
Glenda Mellon (City of Derry – Ulster)*
Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Highfield – Connacht)
Claire Molloy (Bristol – Exile)
Larissa Muldoon (Exile/UWIC – Ulster)
Joy Neville (UL Bohemians – Munster)
Heather O’Brien (Highfield – Munster)
Laura O’Mahony (Tralee – Munster)*
Ruth O’Reilly (Galwegians – Connacht)*
Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere – Leinster)
Tania Rosser (Blackrock – Leinster)
Sophie Spence (Exile)*
Carol Staunton (Galwegians – Connacht)

* Denotes uncapped player

IRELAND WOMEN’S 2012 FIXTURES –

(All times are local to where the games are being played)

Friday, February 3: Ireland v Wales, Ashbourne RFC, 7.30pm
Saturday, February 11: France v Ireland, Stade de Hameau, Pau, 6.30pm
Friday, February 24: Ireland v Italy, Ashbourne RFC, 7.30pm
Friday, March 9: Ireland v Scotland, Ashbourne RFC, 7.30pm
Saturday, March 17: England v Ireland, Esher RFC, London, 2.30pm