Ireland Women’s Team Named For Italy Encounter
The Ireland Women’s team to play Italy in the RBS Women’s 6 Nations has been named by head coach Philip Doyle. In addition, a new date for the abandoned game against Wales has also been confirmed.
The Irish management has kept faith with the same starting line-up and replacements that were narrowly defeated 8-7 by France a fortnight ago.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s game, Philip Doyle said: “Following a very good performance against France in Pau last time out, all the girls played extremely well and we did not see the need to make changes.
“Italy are a formidable opposition, we are under no illusions about the strength of this side. We have trained well and are looking forward to playing back in front of a home crowd.”
In other news, the Ireland v Wales match, which was called off at half-time due to a deterioration of weather conditions, has been rescheduled to take place at Ashbourne RFC on Saturday, March 3 with a 2.30pm kick-off.
Admission to the Ireland Women’s home matches is €;20 per car or €;10 per adult and €;5 per child.
There will be a coach to all of the Women’s games leaving Old Belvedere RFC (Anglesea Road in Dublin 4) approximately an hour before kick-off. It is open to anyone.
The coach will return to Old Belvedere, making one stop in the city centre, approximately three hours after the match ends.
Return fare is €;20 and includes your ticket into the match and two free bottles at the bar. Please contact Jenny on 0833766401 with any questions.
IRELAND WOMEN’S Team & Replacements (v Italy Women, RBS Women’s 6 Nations, Ashbourne RFC, County Meath, Friday, February 24, kick-off 7.30pm):
15. Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
14. Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians/Munster)
13. Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster)
12. Grace Davitt (Cooke/Ulster)
11. Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Highfield/Connacht)
10. Lynne Cantwell (Exile)
9. Amy Davis (Blackrock/Leinster)
1. Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster) (capt)
2. Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster)
3. Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
4. Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
5. Sophie Spence (Exile)
6. Laura Guest (Highfield/Munster)
7. Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht)
8. Joy Neville (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Replacements:
16. Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary’s/Leinster)
17. Ruth O’Reilly (Galwegians/Connacht)
18. Siobhan Fleming (Tralee/Munster)
19. Heather O’Brien (Highfield/Munster)
20. Larissa Muldoon (Exile/UWIC/Ulster)
21. Nikki Caughey (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
22. Jennifer Murphy (Exile)
Ireland Women’s 2012 Fixtures/Results:
Saturday, February 11 – France Women 8 Ireland Women 7, Stade du Hameau, Pau
Friday, February 24 – Ireland Women v Italy Women, Ashbourne RFC, 7.30pm
Saturday, March 3 – Ireland Women v Wales Women, Ashbourne RFC, 2.30pm
Friday, March 9 – Ireland Women v Scotland Women, Ashbourne RFC, 7.30pm
Saturday, March 17 – England Women v Ireland Women, Esher RFC, 2pm