Home Support Key For Unchanged Ireland Women

Head Coach Philip Doyle keeps faith with the women’s side that claimed the Triple Crown in their last outing against Scotland in the RBS Women’s 6 Nations.

Doyle has named an unchanged side for Friday night's encounter against France in Ashbourne RFC, ko 7.30pm.

Ireland Women go in to this crunch game as the only undefeated side in the tournament but face the challenge of a French side who have been relentless in their last two games making up for their surprise opening defeat to Italy.

The coverage of the Women's campaign continues with the game streamed live on www.IrishRugby.ie and on www.rte.ie with a commentary team that includes former Women’s International and Munster player/coach Fiona Steed.

In addition, RTÉ's 2FM will have live commentary of the game at Ashbourne RFC with Michael Corcoran and former Ireland international and Munster player Rosie Foley joining him on air.

Speaking ahead of the game Doyle said, "It is great to have our goals already ready reached for this season with Rugby World Cup qualifications and the Triple Crown secured. That being said, this squad has further goals and a win over France will certainly get us a step closer to those."

"Having seen France’s very strong performance a fortnight ago we know that this fixture will be a very tight one but will certainly be very entertaining for the crowd."

"We are looking forward to playing in front of the home crowd in Ashbourne, they always give us great support and can really make a difference for the team on the pitch."

Ireland Women's Team:
15. Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster)
14. Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
13. Lynne Cantwell (Richmond/Exiles)
12. Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
11. Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Connacht)
10. Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
9. Larissa Muldoon (UWIC/Exiles)
1. Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster) (capt)
2. Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster)
3. Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
4. Sophie Spence (Mowden Park Sharks/Exiles)
5. Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
6. Siobhan Fleming (Tralee/Munster)
7. Claire Molloy (Bristol/Exiles)
8. Joy Neville (UL Bohemians/Munster)

Replacements:
16. Stacey-Lea Kennedy (City of Derry/Ulster)
17. Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemians/Munster)
18. Lauren Day (Waterloo/Exiles)
19. Leigh Dargan (Saracens RFC/Exile)
20. Laura Guest (Highfield/Munster)
21. Amy Davis (Blackrock College/Ulster)
22. Grace Davitt (Cooke/Ulster)
23. Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians/Munster)

Ireland Women RBS 6 Nations Fixtures and results 2013 (All Kick-off Times GMT):
Sun 3rd Feb Wales v Ireland 10-12
Sat 9th Feb Ireland v England U20 25-0
Sat 23rd Feb 14:00 Scotland v Ireland Lasswade 3-30
Fri 8th Mar 19:30 Ireland v France Ashbourne RFC
Sun 17th Mar 14:30 Italy Women v Ireland Women Parabiago, Milan