Ireland Women’s Team to Play Wales Announced

The Ireland Women’s team to play Wales in the RBS 6 Nations Championship has been named by Coach Philip Doyle.

Doyle has made three changes to his opening side that overcame their Scottish counterparts 5 – 22 in their last outing of the RBS 6 Nations Championship a fortnight ago.

Highfield’s Laura Guest moves back to lock from the back row, while Lauren Day and Carol Staunton make their return to the starting XV in the front and back row respectively. Highfield’s Heather O’Brien is named on the bench for this game.

Speaking ahead of this weekend's game, Doyle said “The squad are looking forward to this weekend’s test. Wales away is always a strong challenge and we are under no illusions about the strength of this Welsh side.”

“We have had good results so far in the tournament and are striving for another positive result this weekend.”

Ireland defeated Italy 26-5 in their opening game, followed by a narrow 14-12 defeat to France in their second game. In their last outing, Ireland had a comprehensive 22-5 victory over Scotland.

FIXTURES/RESULTS
Sun 6th Feb: France 5-26 Ireland
Fri 11th Feb: Ireland 12-14 France
Sat 26th Feb: Scotland 5-22 Ireland
Sun 13th Mar: Wales v Ireland – Cross Keys RFC, 2.30pm
Fri 18th Mar: Ireland v England – Ashbourne RFC, 7.30pm

Ireland Women v Wales Women
RBS 6 Nations Championship, Cross Keys RFC, Gwent
Sunday 13th March, KO 14:30hrs

15 – Niamh Briggs (Clonmel – Munster)
14 – Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemian – Munster)
13 – Lynne Cantwell (Richmond – Exile)
12 – Geraldine Rea (Highfield – Munster)
11 – Mairead Kelly (UL Bohemian – Munster)
10 – Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere – Leinster)
9 – Amy Davis (Blackrock – Leinster)
1 -Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemian – Leinster)
2 – Gillian Bourke (Bristol – Munster)
3 – Lauren Day (Waterloo – Ulster)
4 – Laura Guest (Highfield – Munster)
5 – Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere – Leinster)
6 – Carol Staunton (Galwegians – Connacht)
7 – Claire Molloy (Bristol – Connacht)
8 – Joy Neville (UL Bohemian – Munster)

Replacements –
16 – Stacey Kennedy (City of Derry – Ulster)
17 – Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere – Leinster)
18 – Dee O'Brien (Blackrock – Leinster)
19 – Heather O'Brien (Highfield – Munster)
20 – Larissa Muldoon (UWIC – Exile)
21 – Gillian Nolan (St Marys – Leinster)
22 – Jackie Shiels (Richmond – Leinster)