Strong Munster Representation on Ireland Women s Squad

10th February 2003 By Munster Rugby

Munster s all conquering Interprovincial side is well represented on the 1st Irish Women s 6 Nations squad of the year with eleven of Munster s title winning squad named on the Irish 22-player line-up

Munster s all conquering Interprovincial side is well represented on the first Irish Women s 6 Nations squad of the year with eleven of Munster s title winning squad named on the Irish 22-player line-up to face Scotland at the weekend.

Edel Coen and Jean Lonergan start in the front row while Rosie Foley and Leinster s Anne Marie McAllister renew their Shannon second row partnership. Munster captain Fiona Steed will add to her 52 caps as her provincial collegue, the uncapped Joy Neville, will look to make an impression on the International Arena at the back of the scrum.

Vice-captain Steed was upbeat about her country s chances in Scotland. We are really looking forward to playing Scotland this weekend. We know it will be a difficult task away from home but we can certainly build on last years performance against the Scots where we came very close. There is a large Munster influence throughout the team and hopefully the success of the Munster Women s team this year and the Munster clubs to date will be carried through to the International scene. It is vital that we start the 6 Nations well and realise the potential that is undoubtedly there .

UL-Bohemians are healthily represented in the back line with scrum-half Louise Beamish joining regulars Patrique Kelly, Lynn Cantwell and Sarah-Jane Belton. Bohs Fiona Coughlan who plays representative rugby with Leinster and Amanda Greensmith both sit on the bench.

The Irish squad will assemble in Belfast on Thursday evening (Feb 13th) and leave for Scotland the following day returning to Belfast on Saturday evening after the game.

IRELAND V SCOTLAND MEADOWBANK, Edinburgh, February 15 KO 14.00pm

Irish Womens Team:

1. Magali Dolo (Old Belvedere)

2. Jean Lonergan (Shannon)

3. Edel Coen (Highfield)

4. Rosie Foley (Shannon)

5. Anne Marie McAllister (Shannon)

6. Rachel Boyd (Cooke)

7. Fiona Steed (vc) (Shannon)

8. Joy Neville (Shannon)

9. Louise Beamish (UL Bohemians)

10. Joanne O Sullivan (Nottingham)