Six Munster Players Named For Ireland

Ireland Women’s Head Coach Philip Doyle has named his side to take on England at Twickenham this Saturday, 22nd February, kick-off 6.30pm.

Doyle has made two changes to the side that earned a hard fought victory against Wales in Round 2 of the RBS Womens 6 Nations Championship.

Munster’s Gillian Bourke replaces Stacey-Lea Kennedy at hooker while Ashleigh Baxter comes in on the wing for Hannah Casey. Both Casey and Kennedy will start from the bench.

Munster captain Heather O’Brien starts at No.8 as well as fellow Munster woman Siobhan Fleming who has been named in the back row.

Niamh Briggs who came into the side after the opening round retains her spot at full-back.

Laura Guest comes into the replacements in place of Paula Fitzpatrick and joins her Munster colleague Fiona Hayes on the bench.

Philip Doyle, Ireland Women's Head Coach, commented, "The team showed great character to secure the win against Wales but they are in for a huge test this weekend facing England at Twickenham. England will be smarting from last year's defeat and are a quality side who have shown their power and skill already in this Championship.”

Rugby fans can watch England Women v Ireland Women for free with free entry to the stadium after England men's clash with Ireland.

The Ireland Women's team will play their first ever fixture at the Aviva Stadium when they play Italy in Round 4 of the RBS 6 Nations Championships on March 8th. This game will kick-off approximately 40minutes after Ireland's RBS 6 Nations clash against the Azzuri has concluded. Tickets for the Women's match are available through Ticketmaster.ie.

IRELAND WOMEN v England Women – RBS 6 Nations Championship

Player / Club / Province / Caps

15. Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster) 38
14. Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) 10
13. Lynne Cantwell (Richmond /Exile) 80
12. Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 10
11. Alison Miller (Portlaoise RFC/UCC/Connacht) 16
10. Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 20
9. Larissa Muldoon (Bristol/Exile) 17

8. Heather O' Brien (Highfield/Munster)11
7. Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht) 28
6. Siobhan Fleming (Tralee/Munster) 12
5. Marie –Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 27
4. Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 12
3. Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 14
2. Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster ) 38
1. Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster) 77 capt

Replacements
16. Stacey-Lea Kennedy (Cooke/Ulster) 10
17. Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemians/Munster) 3
18. Kerrie –Ann Craddock (Saracens/Exile) 1
19. Laura Guest (Highfield/Munster) 31
20. Amy Davis (Blackrock /Ulster) 33
21. Hannah Casey (Saracens/Exiles) 2
22. Grace Davitt (Cooke/Ulster) 48
23. Jackie Shiels (Richmond/Exile) 9

RBS 6 Nations Ireland Women's Fixtures

England Women v IRELAND WOMEN
Twickenham Stadium: 18:20
Saturday 22nd February, 2014

IRELAND WOMEN v Italy Women
Aviva Stadium; 17:00
Saturday 8thMarch, 2014

France Women v IRELAND WOMEN
Stade du Hameau; 18:45
Friday 14th March, 2014