As much-changed Ireland aim to put their best foot forward against England, more than 15,000 tickets have been sold – putting the game on track for a new standalone Red Roses record – as the fourth round of the TikTok Women’s Six Nations concludes in Leicester.
2022 TIKTOK WOMEN’S SIX NATIONS: Sunday, April 24
ENGLAND WOMEN (2nd) v IRELAND WOMEN (4th), Mattioli Woods Welford Road, 12pm (live Virgin Media Two/BBC 2/BBC iPlayer/RTÉ Radio 1 Extra/BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra)
Team News: Nichola Fryday captains Ireland for the fourth round encounter in Leicester, with two uncapped players included in the matchday 23.
Molly Scuffil-McCabe will make her Ireland 15s debut at full-back, while her Railway Union and Leinster team-mate Niamh Byrne is in line for her first cap off the bench.
With number of players unavailable due to Ireland Sevens duty, the 24-year-old Scuffil-McCabe joins Aoife Doyle and Eimear Considine in Ireland’s new-look back-three. The experienced Sene Naoupu returns in midfield alongside Enya Breen.
The half-back pairing of Nicole Cronin and Kathryn Dane remains unchanged, as does the front row combination of Linda Djougang, Neve Jones and Christy Haney, who makes her second start at tighthead prop.
Fryday leads from the second row alongside Railway Union lock Aoife McDermott, who comes in for the injured Sam Monaghan (calf).
The back row of Dorothy Wall, Edel McMahon and Hannah O’Connor is unchanged from the 29-8 bonus point win over Italy at Musgrave Park just less than a fortnight ago.
On the bench, Grace Moore, Maeve Óg O’Leary and Michelle Claffey are set for their first appearances of the 2022 Championship, with Railway captain Byrne completing the squad.
Commenting on his selection, head coach Greg McWilliams said: “This is an exciting opportunity for players who are desperate for the chance to showcase their talent on the biggest stage.
“As we embark on this journey as a group, we need to test the squad depth, build the playing pool and competition within the dressing room, and there is no greater challenge than facing this world-class England side in front of what will be a record crowd.
“A special mention to our two new caps who have earned their opportunity to pull on the green jersey. To Molly and Niamh, congratulations on your selection, enjoy every moment of the experience and be yourselves this weekend.
“A big challenge is ahead of us but we’ll learn a lot about ourselves, and this week has been all about us and what we can bring to the occasion. We’re ready.”
Meanwhile, England legend Emily Scarratt is set to earn her 100th cap at her hometown stadium, with scrum half Leanne Infante reaching the 50-cap milestone.
Helena Rowland plays at full-back for the first time in her England career with Lydia Thompson and Jess Breach completing the back-three.
Zoe Aldcroft (lock) returns for her first appearance of the 2022 Championship after injury, Abbie Ward starts alongside her, while Sarah Hunter captains the side from number 8.
Flankers Alex Matthews and Marlie Packer are also selected, and the front row of Vickii Cornborough, Lark Davies and Sarah Bern retain their starting berths.
Saracens duo Zoe Harrison and Holly Aitchison make up the 10-12 axis. Long-term absentees Amy Cokayne and Hannah Botterman are named among the replacements.
TikTok Women’s Six Nations Results/Fixtures
TikTok Women’s Six Nations Table
ENGLAND WOMEN: Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning); Lydia Thompson (Worcester Warriors), Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning), Holly Aitchison (Saracens), Jess Breach (Harlequins); Zoe Harrison (Saracens), Leanne Infante (Bristol Bears); Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins), Lark Davies (Loughborough Lightning), Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears), Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury), Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears), Alex Matthews (Worcester Warriors), Marlie Packer (Saracens), Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning) (capt).
Replacements: Amy Cokayne (Harlequins), Hannah Botterman (Saracens), Maud Muir (Wasps), Rosie Galligan (Harlequins), Poppy Cleall (Saracens), Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury), Amber Reed (Bristol Bears), Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins).
IRELAND WOMEN: Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Railway Union RFC/Leinster); Aoife Doyle (Railway Union RFC/Munster), Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), Enya Breen (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Eimear Considine (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster); Nicole Cronin (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster); Linda Djougang (ASM Romagnat Rugby/Leinster), Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury/Ulster), Christy Haney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), Nichola Fryday (Exeter Chiefs/Connacht) (capt), Aoife McDermott (Railway Union RFC/Leinster), Dorothy Wall (Blackrock College RFC/Munster), Edel McMahon (Wasps/IQ Rugby), Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster).
Replacements: Emma Hooban (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), Chloe Pearse (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Katie O’Dwyer (Railway Union RFC/Leinster), Grace Moore (Railway Union RFC/IQ Rugby), Maeve Óg O’Leary (Blackrock College RFC/Munster), Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht), Michelle Claffey (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), Niamh Byrne (Railway Union RFC/Leinster).
Referee: Amber McLachlan (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Aurélie Groizeleau, Doriane Domenjo (both France)
TMO: Lee Jeffrey (New Zealand)
Pre-Match Quotes – Nichola Fryday (Ireland Women):
England are clinical, they’re extremely clinical. They play in the right parts of the pitch and they have a good kicking game, but I think we have plans in place that we can use to combat that.
“We’ll be looking to enforce our game on it as well and make sure that we’re playing in the right parts of the pitch, and just really standing up to them physically.
“We’ve had quality players coming into the squad. We have the likes of Sene (Naoupu), Michelle Claffey. We have the two new caps, Niamh Byrne and Molly Scuffil-McCabe, who are really exciting players, who have really been performing in the AIL this year.
“They deserve their opportunity to get that green jersey on them. No better challenge than against the best in the world. It might be thrown into the deep end, but I know that they’re going to stand up and rise to the occasion.
“For us, we’re really excited to just get going now. It’s going to be a big challenge, but it’s one that we’re just excited to get going with.”
Simon Middleton (England Women):
We’re really looking forward to our second home game of this Six Nations campaign and playing at Welford Road. It will be a very special day for two of our players.
“I’d like to say a huge congratulations to Emily Scarratt and Leanne Infante on their 100-cap and 50-cap milestones respectively. It will be an incredible occasion for Scaz in her hometown, you couldn’t write it and the stars have really aligned.
“Leanne fully deserves the recognition, 50 caps is a massive achievement. She’s been competing with very tough opposition for the scrum half shirt for a number of years but has really established herself as a key part of the Red Roses.”