Head Coach Scott Bemand has named the Ireland Match Day Squad, sponsored by Vodafone, for Saturday’s second WXV Global Series clash against South Africa in Cape Town (Kick-off 1pm Irish time).
Following last weekend’s victory over Springbok Women at Athlone Stadium, Ireland go in search of a historic double this Saturday, live on TG4 Player and App.
Bemand has made two changes to the starting team as Niamh Gallagher and Aoibheann Reilly come into Ireland’s backline, while Sophie Barrett is in line for her second Test cap off the bench.
Gallagher starts at full-back with Béibhinn Parsons and Robyn O’Connor continuing on the wings, while Aoife Dalton and Anna McGann once again make up the midfield partnership.
Reilly is selected to start at scrum-half alongside Dannah O’Brien at out-half.
It is an unchanged pack for Ireland as Linda Djougang, Neve Jones and Eilís Cahill start in the front row, with Jane Clohessy and Dorothy Wall in the engine room.
Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan continues at blindside flanker, captain Erin King is at openside and Brittany Hogan completes the starting team at number eight.
There are strong options available to Bemand among the replacements as Beth Buttimer, Niamh O’Dowd, Barrett, Grace Moore and Jemima Adams Verling make up the forward reinforcements, while Emily Lane, Eve Higgins and Stacey Flood are the backs on the bench.
Ireland (v South Africa):
15. Niamh Gallagher (Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby)(4)
14. Béibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College/Connacht)(39)
13. Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC/Connacht)(21)
12. Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(37)
11. Robyn O'Connor (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(7)
10. Dannah O’Brien (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(39)
9. Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)(23)
1. Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(61)
2. Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury)(50)
3. Eilís Cahill (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(8)
4. Jane Clohessy (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(4)
5. Dorothy Wall (Exeter Chiefs)(45)
6. Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)(29)
7. Erin King (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(16)(captain)
8. Brittany Hogan (Sale Sharks)(47)
Replacements:
16. Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(3)
17. Niamh O’Dowd (Gloucester-Hartpury)(26)
18. Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC/Cooke RFC/Ulster)(1)
19. Grace Moore (Munster)(31)
20. Jemima Adams Verling (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)(4)
21. Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)(29)
22. Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)(40)
23. Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)(32).
