Six Munster Women Named On Ireland Squad

The Ireland Women’s management team have named a 26 woman squad to play against Wales this Sunday in a warm-up game ahead of the 2016 RBS Six Nations.

The uncapped game, which will also have rolling subs will take place in the CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence in Caerphilly, South Wales and will allow Head Coach Tom Tierney a chance to have a final look at players and combinations before he names his Six Nations squad.

Highfield forward Elaine Anthony has been selected along with Zoe Grattage and Ciara Griffin from Tralee RFC. Fiona Reidy from UL Bohemian has also been named in the forwards.

UL Bohemian full back Niamh Briggs has also been selected along with her club colleague Liz Burke, also named in the backs.

Speaking of his selection, Ireland Women's coach, Tom Tierney said;

"We've had some good camps over the past few months, and with the England game in November and now this warm-up fixture against Wales, we're getting the opportunity to try out some different combinations and build our squad ahead of the Six Nations. We've got a nice mix of youth and experience within the team so it will be good to get a final run out before we start the tournament in Donnybrook.”

The Ireland Women's side will kick off their defence of the RBS Six Nations title against Wales in Donnybrook on Saturday, 6th February at 1pm.

Ireland Women's Squad v Wales XV
(CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence, Caerphilly, South Wales. Sunday 24th Jan. Kick-Off 12pm.)

Forwards:
Elaine Anthony (Munster / Highfield)
Ciara Cooney (Leinster / Railway Union)
Ailis Egan (Leinster/ Old Belvedere)
Grainne Egan (Connacht / St.Mary's)
Paula Fitzpatrick (Stade Toulousain)
Zoe Grattage (Munster / Tralee)
Ciara Griffin (Munster / Tralee)
Claire Molloy (Connacht / Bristol)
Heather O'Brien (Stade Toulousain)
Fiona O'Brien (Leinster/ Old Belvedere)
Ruth O'Reilly (Munster / Galwegians)
Lindsay Peat (Leinster / Railway Union)
Fiona Reidy (Munster / U.L Bohemians)
Marie-Louise Reilly (Leinster/ Old Belvedere)
Sophie Spence (Leinster/ Old Belvedere)

Backs:
Niamh Briggs (Munster / U.L Bohemians)
Liz Burke (Munster / U.L Bohemians)
Nikki Caughey (Ulster / Railway Union)
Mairead Coyne (Connacht / Galwegians)
Aine Donnelly (Leinster/ Cill Dara)
Mary Healy (Connacht / Galwegians)
Claire McLaughlin (Ulster / Queen's University)
Larissa Muldoon (Exiles / Skewen)
Sene Naoupu (Connacht / Galwegians)
Elise O'Byrne-White (Leinster/ Old Belvedere)
Jackie Shiels (Exiles / Richmond)