Three Irish In WRWC Dream Team
Three Irish players were named in the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup Dream Team that was announced yesterday. Full-back Niamg Briggs, lock Marie Louise Reilly and hooker Gillian Bourke were all named in the side that was voted for by fans.
Some positions proved hotly contested with a number of players suggested, not least at outside centre where a number of players have shone in the tournament, including Emily Scarratt, Mandy Marchak, Sharni Williams, Huriana Manuel and Lynne Cantwell.
The battle for the number 12 jersey was equally tight between Andrea Burk of Canada and France’s Marjorie Mayans, while the likes of Danielle Waterman, Selica Winiata and Ashleigh Hewson missed out with Niamh Briggs the selected full-back.
It was equally competitive for positions in the forward pack with Marlie Packer and Claire Molloy pushing Maggie Alphonsi hard for the remaining back row berth alongside Kelly Russell and Safi N’Diaye.
The second row also threw up a number of names who would all have been worthy members of the Dream Team.
Here is the #WRWCTeam:
15. Niamh Briggs (IRL)
14. Magali Harvey (CAN)
13. Emily Scarratt (ENG)
12. Andrea Burk (CAN)
11. Honey Hireme (NZL)
10. Sandrine Agricole (FRA)
9. Stephanie Bernier (CAN)
1. Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid (CAN)
2. Gillian Bourke (IRL)
3. Hilary Leith (CAN)
4. Marie Louise Reilly (IRL)
5. Assa Koita (FRA)
6. Safi N’Diaye (FRA)
7. Maggie Alphonsi (ENG)
8. Kelly Russell (CAN)