Briggs Returns To Ireland Starting XV.

Munster’s Niamh Briggs will return to Ireland’s starting XV to face Wales this Friday, 7th February at Ashbourne RFC (kick-off 7.30pm) in their second 6 Nations fixture as they continue to bid to retain their Grand Slam title.

Full back Briggs is one of two changes in the starting line-up following Ireland’s convincing 59-0 win over Scotland at home last Friday night.

Larissa Muldoon comes in at scrum half which sees Jackie Shiels and Amy Davis making way to the bench.

Munster captain Heather O’Brien will start in the No. 8 position alongside fellow Munster women Siobhan Fleming named in the back-row.

Munster hooker Gill Bourke has been named on the bench along with Munster prop Fiona Hayes.

Hat-trick hero Sophie Spence will again line out alongside Marie Louise Reilly in the second row and Ireland will be hoping that Lynne Cantwell and Alison Miller who both scored a brace of tries against the Scots can have a similar impact against the Welsh.

Fiona Coghlan will captain the side and Ashleigh Baxter comes onto the bench in place of Orla Fitzsimons.

Philip Doyle, Ireland Women's Head Coach, commented, "The performance we put in against Scotland was coming for sometime but we are under no illusions as to the challenge the Welsh girls will present. There was only two points between the teams last year so this week we will require a further step up in performance from the group.

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. Tickets for this match are available through Ticketmaster.ie.

IRELAND WOMEN v Wales Women – RBS 6 Nations Championship

Player / Club / Province / Caps

15. Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster) 37
14. Hannah Casey (Saracens/Exile) 1
13. Lynne Cantwell (Richmond /Exile) 79
12. Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster)9
11. Alison Miller (Portlaoise RFC/UCC/Connacht) 15
10. Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 19
9. Larissa Muldoon (Bristol/Exile) 16

8. Heather O' Brien (Highfield/Munster)10
7. Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht) 27
6. Siobhan Fleming (Tralee/Munster) 11
5. Marie –Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 26
4. Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 11
3. Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 13
2. Stacey-Lea Kennedy (Cooke/Ulster)9
1. Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster) 76 capt

Replacements

16. Gill Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster) 37
17. Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemians/Munster)3
18. Kerrie –Ann Craddock (Saracens/Exile) 1
19. Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary's/Leinster)4
20. Amy Davis (Blackrock /Ulster) 33
21. Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) 9
22. Grace Davitt (Cooke/Ulster) 48
23. Jackie Shiels (Richmond/Exile) 9

RBS 6 Nations Ireland Women's Fixtures

IRELAND WOMEN v Wales Women
Ashbourne RFC; 19:30
Friday 7th February, 2014

England Women v IRELAND WOMEN
Twickenham Stadium: 18:20
Saturday 22nd February, 2014

IRELAND WOMEN v Italy Women
Aviva Stadium; 17:00
Saturday 8thMarch, 2014

France Women v IRELAND WOMEN
Stade du Hameau; 18:45
Friday 14th March, 2014