Briggs To Captain Ireland For England Test

The Ireland Women’s squad to play England women in an historic first Autumn International match has been named which includes four Munster players.

Full back Niamh Briggs will lead the side that includes three uncapped Munster players.

Munster’s Elaine Anthony will start in the second row while her provincial colleagues Zoe Grattage (hooker) and Fiona Reidy (prop) have been named on the bench.

Speaking ahead of the test, Head Coach Tom Tierney said, "We are looking forward to the game this weekend. It's the first time we have played an Autumn International which is another step in the development in women's rugby. We have an opportunity to have a look at some new players and combinations building towards the 6 nations.”

Ireland take on their English counterparts at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday 14th November with a 3pm Kick off.

Ireland Women's Squad (ahead of England Women v Ireland Women, The Stoop, Saturday 14th November 2015)

15 Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemian/Munster) Capt
14 Jeamie Deacon (Blackrock/ Leinster)*
13 Aine Donnelly (Cill Dara/ Leinster)*
12 Jackie Shiels (Richmond/ Exiles)
11 Mairead Coyne (Galwegians/ Connacht)*
10 Sene Naoupu (Galwegians/ Connacht)
9 Larissa Muldoon (Skewen/ Exile)
1 Ruth O'Reilly (Galwegians/ Connacht)
2 Cliodhna Moloney (Railway Union/ Leinster)*
3 Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)
4 Elaine Anthony (Highfield/ Munster)*
5 Ciara Cooney (Galwegians/ Connacht)*
6 Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)
7 Paula Fitzpatrick (Stade Toulousain)
8 Heather O'Brien (Stade Toulousain)

16 Zoe Grattage (Tralee/ Munster)*
17 Fiona Reidy (UL Bohemian/ Munster)
18 Fiona O'Brien (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)
19 Katie Norris (Blackrock/ Leinster)
20 Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/ Leinster)*
21 Mary Healy (Galwegians/ Connacht)*
22 Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)
23 Claire McLaughlin (Queens University/ Ulster)*

*Denotes uncapped player at this level.