Head Coach Scott Bemand has named his Match Day Squad, sponsored by Vodafone, for Saturday’s Test against Japan at Virgin Media Park (Kick-off 2pm).
Fresh off their Vodafone Ireland WXV Series win over Japan in Galway last weekend, Ireland are bidding to finish this block of three home matches with another strong performance in Cork this weekend.
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With the wider squad continuing to develop, Saturday's fixture represents another important opportunity for players to gain valuable Test experience in green, with Jane Clohessy and Niamh Gallagher set for their first starts for Ireland and three uncapped players in line for their debuts off the bench.
Forwards Sophie Barrett and Kate Jordan have been included in the Match Day 23 for the first time, while Alana McInerney is also rewarded for her recent performances for Munster in the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship.
Gallagher starts at full-back, with Beibhinn Parsons and Robyn O'Connor on the wings. Anna McGann and Aoife Dalton form the centre partnership, with Dannah O'Brien at out-half and Emily Lane at scrum-half.
In the pack, Linda Djougang and Eilís Cahill are either side of Neve Jones in the front row, with Clohessy partnering Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan in the second row.
Brittany Hogan is selected at blindside flanker, captain Erin King is at openside and Jemima Adams Verling continues at number eight.
Beth Buttimer and Sadhbh McGrath provide front-row cover, with Barrett, Jordan and Grace Moore completing the forward replacements, while Aoibheann Reilly, Enya Breen and McInerney make up the backline options on the bench.
Saturday’s match is live on IrishRugby+, while tickets are available on General Sale from Ticketmaster here.
Ireland (v Japan):
15. Niamh Gallagher (Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby)(3)
14. Béibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College/Connacht)(37)
13. Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC/Connacht)(19)
12. Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(35)
11. Robyn O'Connor (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(5)
10. Dannah O’Brien (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(37)
9. Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)(27)
1. Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(59)
2. Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury)(48)
3. Eilís Cahill (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(6)
4. Jane Clohessy (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(2)
5. Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)(27)
6. Brittany Hogan (Sale Sharks)(45)
7. Erin King (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(14)(captain)
8. Jemima Adams Verling (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)(2)
Replacements:
16. Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(1)
17. Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke RFC/Ulster)(23)
18. Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC/Cooke RFC/Ulster)*
19. Kate Jordan (Blackrock College/Leinster)*
20. Grace Moore (Munster)(29)
21. Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)(21)
22. Enya Breen (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(33)
23. Alana McInerney (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)*
*denotes uncapped player
