Seven Munster Players In WRWC Squad

A total of seven Munster women are set to represent their country on the biggest stage, ahead of Ireland’s home Women’s Rugby World Cup which starts in a fortnight’s time.

The seven all been selected by Head Coach Tom Tierney from an extended training squad, as the Irish aim to win a historic first World Cup for the nation, with venues already sold out to cheer them on.

For Niamh Briggs, a third world cup will be extra special in front of a home crowd, but the Waterford woman will be sure to bring plenty of experience and level-headedness in her continuing successful stint as captain of her country.

Ciara Griffin and Leah Lyons have both earned their place through not only their fantastic performances in the Green jersey during Ireland’s most recent Six Nations campaign, but also fine performances for UL Bohemians and Highfield respectively in the Women’s All-Ireland Legaue.

Bohs, off the back of a fantastic domestic double, have a number of representatives on the side with Cork’s Anna Caplice and Clare’s Eimear Considine also given the honour of being included in the squad, and will be working as hard as possible to push their way into Tierney’s starting XV for the tournament, while uncapped Nicole Cronin will be delighted to have been included.

Former Munster captain Heather O’Brien is set to compete in her second World Cup, having returned to the provincial fold last year following two years in Toulouse.

A difficult pool sees the hosts in with Australia, who they face in their first game on Wednesday August 9^th, France, and Japan, with the top teams from each group joined by a highest-second placed side to make up the semi-finals, which the Irish made last time around, in France.

“Over the past three seasons we have been conscious of the need to build and develop a squad for this tournament, and as a result of the program many players have had the opportunity to prepare for this moment and play international rugby and show their skills at the highest level” said Tierney, on the squad’s selection.

“We have named players who have been here before and are aware of the challenge that lies ahead, and then there are a number of players in the squad for whom this will be their first ever World Cup and I am extremely confident they will compete for starting positions throughout the campaign.

“The players have been training consistently over the past number of months, and we have had a preparation that is far more comprehensive than previous campaigns. The anticipation and excitement has been building steadily amongst the players and the program has provided us every opportunity, so it is now up to us to put our best foot forward during this campaign.

“The opportunity to play in a World Cup on home soil is a once in a life time opportunity, and while we are in a tough pool with Australia, Japan and our Six Nations rivals France, I am sure the players will rise to the occasion in front of their home fans.”

Tickets for all pool games in UCD are sold out, however tickets for the Semi-Finals and Finals Day in Kingspan Stadium and the ranking matches in Queen’s University are still available via www.ticketmaster.ie / www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

Ireland’s matches will be broadcast live via Eir Sport, RTE and RTE Radio in the Republic of Ireland and via ITV in the United Kingdom.

Ireland Women’s Squad – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017

Forwards:

Ashleigh Baxter (Cooke/Ulster)
Anna Caplice (UL Bohemian/Munster)
Ciara Cooney (Railway Union/Leinster)
Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary’s College RFC/Leinster)
Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemian/Munster)
Leah Lyons (Highfield/Munster)
Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht)
Cliodhna Moloney (Railway Union/Leinster)
Heather O’Brien (Highfield/Munster)
Ciara O’Connor (Galwegians/Connacht)
Ruth O’Reilly (Galwegians/Connacht)
Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/Leinster)
Marie-Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

Backs:

Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemian/Munster) Captain
Eimear Considine (UL Bohemian/Munster)
Mairead Coyne (Galwegians/Connacht)
Nicole Cronin (UL Bohemian/Munster)*
Jeamie Deacon (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
Claire McLaughlin (Cooke/Ulster)
Alison Miller (Old Belvedere/Connacht)
Larissa Muldoon (Railway Union)
Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Sene Naoupu (Harlequins FC)
Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Hannah Tyrrell (Old Belvedere/Leinster)