Ireland Women’s Squad Named For Training Camp

As the Ireland Women’s side prepare for their first ever November Series against England, Canada and New Zealand, Ireland Women’s Head Coach Tom Tierney has named a 31 woman squad to take part in a two day camp this weekend in Dublin.

Tierney has included a number of uncapped players as he continues to develop his squad ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup, which takes place in Ireland next August.

Prop Leah Lyons, from Highfield RFC is included, as is second-row Nichola Fryday (Tullamore RFC). Anna Caplice, who has been capped for Ireland at Sevens level, is part of this weekend's squad, as is her UL Bohemians team-mate and fellow back-rower Chloe Pearse.

Galwegians centre Nicole Fowley is the only uncapped back in the squad.

On confirmation of the squad, Tierney said: "As we prepare for three big games this November we have selected a squad that contains a nice blend of youth and experience.

"A number of the players selected made their debuts against England last November and since then have continued to develop as players with their clubs, provinces and with Ireland during last season's Six Nations. We've also included some uncapped players who have been performing well for their clubs this season in the All-Ireland League.

"With the Women's Rugby World Cup now less than a year away, we have three very big tests coming up in UCD, which will be the start of our build-up to Ireland 2017.

"Kicking off against World Cup holders England, followed by World Cup runners up Canada and then finally New Zealand, who are coming to Europe off the back of two strong wins against Australia, it's going to be a very demanding series of games, but it is not too dissimilar to a World Cup scenario, so with that in mind, it's important that we have a squad of players who can step in when required.”

Also joining the squad at the weekend will be a number of players from the Ireland Women's Sevens side, who themselves are currently preparing for the first leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series, which will take place in Dubai on the 2nd and 3rd of December.

Tickets for the November Internationals are available from ticketmaster.ie/womensrugby.

A bus subsidy is available from the IRFU to clubs travelling to these games – for more information on how to avail of this offer, please contact womensrugby@irfu.ie.

Ireland Women's Squad for Two Day Camp

Forwards
Anna Caplice – (UL Bohemians/Munster)*
Ciara Cooney – (Railway Union/Leinster)
Ailis Egan – (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Paul Fitzpatrick – (St. Mary's RFC/Leinster)
Orla Fitzsimons – (St. Mary's RFC/Leinster)
Nichola Fryday – (Tullamore RFC/Connacht)*
Zoe Grattage – (Highfield RFC/Munster)
Ciara Griffin – (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Fiona Hayes – (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Leah Lyons – (Highfield RFC/Munster)*
Claire Molloy – (Bristol Ladies)
Cliodhna Moloney – (Railway Union/Leinster)
Katie Norris – (Blackrock RFC/Leinster)*
Chloe Pearse – (UL Bohemians/Munster)*
Lindsay Peat – (Railway Union/Leinster)
Fiona Reidy – (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Marie-Louise Reilly – (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Sophie Spence – (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

Backs
Niamh Briggs – (UL Bohemians/Munster) Captain
Liz Burke – (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Nikki Caughey – (Railway Union/Ulster)
Mairead Coyne – (Galwegians/Connacht)
Nicole Fowley – (Galwegians/Connacht)*
Mary Healy – (Galwegians/Connacht)
Niamh Kavanagh – (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Claire McLaughlin – (Cooke/Ulster)
Alison Miller – (Old Belvedere/Connacht)
Larissa Muldoon – (Railway Union/Leinster)
Sene Naoupu – (Aylesbury Bulls)
Jackie Shiels – (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Nora Stapleton – (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

*denotes uncapped

Autumn International Fixtures
Sunday 13th November 2016
Ireland Women v England Women, UCD Bowl, 2pm

Saturday 19th November 2016
Ireland Women v Canada Women, UCD Bowl, 2pm

Wednesday 23rd November 2016
Canada Women v New Zealand Women, Donnybrook Stadium, 1pm

Sunday 27th November 2016
Ireland Women v New Zealand Women, UCD Bowl, 2pm