Ireland Women’s Squad Announced

The IRFU have named a squad of 31 including ten Munster interprovincial players to feature in the forthcoming RBS Women’s 6 Nations championship.

Philip Doyle, Head Coach, has selected a total of seven UL Bohemian players including Gillian Bourke, Niamh Briggs, Ashling Hutchins, Niamh Kavanagh and Munster captain Joy Neville. Fiona Coghlan, UL Bohemian, has also been selected to captain the Ireland Women side for her third season in a row.

Tralee RFC’s Siobhan Fleming and Laura O’Mahony have been named along with Helen Brosnan and Heather O’Brien from Highfield RFC.

Ireland will open their campaign at home in Ashbourne RFC, Co. Meath, on Friday, 3rd February, against Wales kicking off at 7.30pm

Ireland Women's Squad:

Christine Arthurs (Tralee – Connacht)*
Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins -Ulster)*
Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemian -Munster)
Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemian – Munster)
Helen Brosnan (Highfield – Munster)
Lynne Cantwell (Exile)
Nikki Caughey (Belfast Harlequins – Ulster)*
Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemian – Leinster)
Amy Davis (Blackrock – Leinster)
Grace Davitt (Cooke – Ulster)
Lauren Day (Cooke – Ulster)
Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere – Leinster)
Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary´s – Leinster)*
Siobhan Fleming (Tralee – Munster)*
Laura Guest (Highfield – Munster)
Shannon Houston (Blackrock – Leinster)
Ashling Hutchings (UL Bohemian – Munster)*
Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemian – Munster)
Stacey-Lea Kennedy (City of Derry – Ulster)
Glenda Mellon (City of Derry – Ulster)*
Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Highfield – Connacht)
Claire Molloy (Bristol – Exile)
Larissa Muldoon (Exile / UWIC – Ulster)
Joy Neville (UL Bohemian – Munster)
Heather O’Brien (Highfield – Munster)
Laura O’Mahony (Tralee – Munster)*
Ruth O’Reilly (Galwegians – Connacht)*
Marie – Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere – Leinster)
Tanya Rosser (Blackrock – Leinster)
Sophie Spence (Exile)*
Carol Staunton (Galwegians – Connacht)

*Denotes uncapped Player
Ireland Women’s 6 Nations 2012 Fixtures (all times are local to where the games are being played) –

Fri, 3rd Feb Ireland v Wales Ashbourne RFC 19.30hrs
Sat, 11th Feb France v Ireland Stade de Hameau, Pau 18.30hrs
Fri, 24th Feb Ireland v Italy Ashbourne RFC 19.30hrs
Fri, 9th Mar Ireland v Scotland Ashbourne RFC 19.30hrs
Sat, 17th Mar England v Ireland Esher RFC, London 14.30hrs