Ireland Women’s Team Named For Scotland Clash
7th February 2019 By The Editor
Ciara Griffin captains Ireland against Scotland on Friday night.
The Ireland Women’s Team to play their second match of the Women’s Six Nations has been named.
Head coach Adam Griggs has made four changes to the side that were defeated by England in their last outing of the tournament.
Four Munster players are named in the squad – captain Ciara Griffin and Eimear Considine both start with Deirbhile Nic A Bhaird and Fiona Reidy among the replacements.
Former Munster players Leah Lyons (Harlequins) and Anna Caplice (Richmond) are named in the starting XV.
Up front, Emma Hooban who makes her first start of the tournament, is named at hooker. Lyons moves to tighthead prop with Laura Feely remaining at loosehead. Aoife McDermott and Nichola Fryday remain in the second row. Caplice starts in the back row alongside Claire Molloy and captain Griffin.
There is just one change to the backs, with Alison Miller starting on the wing.
Ahead of the game, Griggs said: “The game against England last week was undeniably a tough start to the Women’s Six Nations and while the final score line was far from ideal, there are positives we will take from that game. Our set piece was solid throughout and we were able to challenge England at times during the game.
“We need to build on those positives now and make improvements in other areas of our game to become more consistent and force more pressure on our opponents. Scotland will bring new challenges and we know they are also hurting from a loss last weekend.
“They will come out strong in front of their home crowd and will want to start the game with intent. We need to weather that initial pressure and stay focused on our game and what we can bring, which I know the team are looking forward to.”
The match will be broadcast live by RTE, with coverage beginning at 7pm.
Ireland Women’s Team v Scotland Women (Friday 8th February 2019, Women’s Six Nations. Scotstoun, Glasgow – Kick-off 7.35pm)
15 Lauren Delany (Firwood Waterloo/IQ Rugby)
14 Eimear Considine (UL Bohemians/ Munster)
13 Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
12 Michelle Claffey (Blackrock/Leinster)
11 Alison Miller (Old Belvedere/Connacht)
10 Nicole Fowley (Galwegians/Connacht)
9 Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union/Leinster)
1 Laura Feely (Galwegians/Connacht)
2 Emma Hooban (St Mary’s College/Leinster)
3 Leah Lyons (Harlequins)
4 Aoife McDermott (Railway Union/Leinster)
5 Nichola Fryday (Galwegians/Connacht)
6 Anna Caplice (Richmond)
7 Claire Molloy (Wasps)
8 Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemians/ Munster) (C)
Replacements:
16 Deirbhile Nic A Bhaird (UL Bohemian/Munster)*
17 Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
18 Fiona Reidy (UL Bohemians/Munster)
19 Claire Boles (Railway Union) *
20 Claire McLaughlin (Old Belvedere/Ulster)
21 Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere/Ulster)
22 Ellen Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
23 Megan Williams (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
*Denotes Uncapped player at this level
Ireland Women’s Team – Women’s Six Nations 2019 Fixtures
Friday 1 February: Ireland 7-51 England
Friday 8 February: Scotland v Ireland, Scotstoun, 7.35pm
Saturday 23 February: Italy v Ireland, Parma, 6.30pm
Saturday 9 March: Ireland v France, Donnybrook, 7pm
Sunday 17 March: Wales v Ireland, Cardiff Arms Park, 1.30pm