5 Munster Women In Squad For 6 Nations Opener

Munster have five representatives in the Ireland Women’s squad for the 6 Nations opener against Scotland on Friday night.

Heather O’Brien and Siobhan Fleming start with Gill Bourke, Fiona Hayes and Niamh Briggs named amongst the replacements. Ireland host Scotland at Ashbourne RFC this Friday at 7.30pm.

There is a familiar feel to the selection to face the Scots with players such as Fiona Coghlan, Nora Stapleton, Alison Miller and Lynne Cantwell all set to start. Niamh Briggs, one of the heroes from last year's Women’s Grand Slam campaign starts from the bench.

Philip Doyle, Ireland Women's Head Coach, commented, "We had a good win against the Scots last year but we will need to put in a similar performance this time round to we get a positive result. It is great to be starting off the campaign in Ashbourne and hopefully we can deliver a strong performance.”

The Ireland Women's team will play their first ever fixture at the Aviva Stadium when Italy come to play on Saturday 8th March. This game will kick-off approximately 40minutes after Ireland's RBS 6 Nations clash against the Azzuri has concluded.

Ireland Women's v Scotland Women's – RBS 6 Nations Championship, Asbourne RFC; 7:30pm, Friday 31st January

15. Jackie Shiels (Richmond/Exile)
14. Hannah Casey (Saracens/Exile)*
13. Lynne Cantwell (Richmond /Exile)
12. Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
11. Alison Miller (Portlaoise RFC/UCC/Connacht)
10. Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
9. Amy Davis (Blackrock /Ulster)

8. Heather O' Brien (Highfield/Munster)
7. Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht)
6. Siobhan Fleming (Tralee/Munster)
5. Marie –Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
4. Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
3. Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
2. Stacey-Lea Kennedy (Cooke/Ulster)
1. Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster) (Capt)

Replacements
16. Gill Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster)
17. Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemians/Munster)
18. Kerri –Ann Craddock (Saracens/Exile)*
19. Orla Fitzsimmons (St. Mary's/Leinster)*
20. Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary's/Leinster)
21. Larissa Muldoon (Bristol/Exile)
22. Grace Davitt (Cooke/Ulster)
23. Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster)

* Denotes uncapped player