Briggs Leads Ireland Women To Perpignan

Munster full-back Niamh Briggs will captain the Ireland Women to take on France in Perpignan on Saturday, 13th February in round two of the 6 Nations Championship (ko 9pm local time).

Head Coach Tom Tierney has made one change to the side that defeated Wales last Saturday in Donnybrook.

Munster hooker Zoe Grattage will move to the bench while Cliodhna Moloney from Railway Union comes in to the starting line-up.

Prop Fiona Reidy from UL Bohemian remains in the replacements.

Speaking ahead of the match Tierney said "The girls played well against Wales and it was very pleasing to get a good win, but there are areas that we can improve on and it is important for this squad that we look to progress and build week by week.

The French will present a different test this weekend. They had a good win over Italy so they will be very confident going into the game.

We will have two sessions here in France before the game, so we'll be going in prepared and we'll be looking forward to the challenge from the French".

The game will be broadcast live on RTE 2 from 7.45pm, with kick-off at 8pm (Irish time).

15. Niamh Briggs (UL. Bohemians / Munster) Captain
14. Elise O'Byrne-White (Old Belvedere / Leinster)
13. Aine Donnelly (Cill Dara / Leinster)
12. Sene Naoupu (Galwegians / Connacht)
11. Mairead Coyne (Galwegians / Connacht)
10. Nikki Caughey (Railway Union / Ulster)
9. Larissa Muldoon (Skewen / Exiles)
1. Ruth O'Reilly (Galwegians / Connacht)
2. Cliodhna Moloney (Railway Union / Leinster)
3. Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere / Leinster)
4. Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere / Leinster)
5. Marie-Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere / Leinster)
6. Paula Fitzpatrick (Toulouse)
7. Claire Molloy (Bristol / Exiles)
8. Heather O'Brien (Toulouse)

Replacements
16. Zoe Grattage (Tralee / Munster)
17. Lindsay Peat (Railway Union / Leinster)
18. Fiona Reidy (UL Bohemians / Munster)
19. Ciara Cooney (Railway Union / Leinster)
20. Ciara Griffin (Tralee / Munster)
21. Mary Healy (Galwegians / Connacht)
22. Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere / Leinster)
23. Jackie Shiels (Richmond / Exiles)