Ireland Women Claim Victory Over Spain

A total of ten Munster women were included in the Ireland squad that claimed a 39-7 win over Spain in a friendly yesterday at Ashbourne RFC, as they continue their preparations for this year’s RBS Six Nations.

Despite the snowy conditions the Irish Women were firing from the kick off with the first score of the match coming from Munster winger Niamh Kavanagh after only three minutes of play. Munster's Niamh Briggs who resumed the position of full back, having played last year’s 6 Nations matches at centre comfortably slotted the conversion. However, it was obvious from the start that the Spanish meant business and did not travel to Ireland to leave without a tough battle and it wasn’t long before winger Laura Esbri scored under the posts having shown some great foot work to beat the Irish defence.

A Briggs penalty in the 25th minute saw Ireland increase their lead and continue to apply pressure on the Spanish outfit throughout the first half. A second Ireland try from Alison Milner gave the Irish women a half time lead of 15 points to 7.

Ireland continued to dominate in the second half and tries from Munster's Ashling Hutchings, Sophie Spence, Stacey Lee Kennedy and a second from Alison Miller saw the squad secure the win.

With both squads using rolling substitutions, it was a great opportunity for the coaching staff to see all 26 players perform at this level and it has no doubt faced Irish Head Coach Philip Doyle with some tough selection decisions ahead of their first 6 Nations match of 2013 against Wales.

IRELAND WOMEN'S SQUAD V SPAIN

Backs (12) – Alison Miller (Connacht), Amy Davis (Ulster), Ashleigh Baxter (Ulster), Ashling Hutchings (Munster), Grace Davitt (Ulster), Jenny Murphy (Leinster), Larissa Muldoon (Exile), Lynne Cantwell (Exile), Niamh Kavanagh (Munster), Niamh Briggs (Munster), Nicole Fitzgerald (Munster), Shannon Houston (Leinster).
Forwards (14) – Ailis Egan (Leinster), Claire Molloy (Exile), Fiona Coghlan (Leinster) (capt), Fiona Hayes (Munster), Gillian Bourke (Munster), Heather O'Brien (Munster), Joy Neville (Munster), Laura Guest (Munster), Lauren Day (Exile), Leigh Dargan (Exile), Marie Louise Reilly (Leinster), Siobhan Fleming (Munster), Sophie Spence (Exile), Stacey-Lea Kennedy (Ulster).

Women’s Six Nations Fixtures

Sun, 3rd Feb 2013 Wales v Ireland, Talbot Athletic Ground, ko 12.00
Sat, 9th Feb 2013 Ireland v England, Ashbourne RFC, ko 13.30
Sat, 23rd Feb 2013, Scotland v Ireland, Lasswade, ko 14.00
Fri, 8th Mar 2013, Ireland v France, Ashbourne RFC, ko 19.30
Sun, 17th Mar 2013, Italy v Ireland, Parabiago, Milan, ko 14.30