Ireland make 10 changes for #RWC warm-up against Canada
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland Women’s head coach Scott Bemand has made 10 changes to the starting line-up to face Canada in Belfast on Saturday.
Neve Jones will co-captain the side with Sam Monaghan, who starts this week on the bench.
In the pack, Niamh O’Dowd and Linda Djougang join Jones in the front row. Fiona Tuite and Ruth Campbell make up the engine room and last week’s backrow of Grace Moore, Ivana Kiripati, and Brittany Hogan remains unchanged.
In the backs, Aoibheann Reilly starts at scrumhalf with Dannah O’Brien again at flyhalf. Enya Breen partners with Aoife Dalton in the centre with Anna McGann and Béibhinn Parsons on the wings.
Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Ellena Perry, Sadhbh McGrath, Eimear Corri-Fallon, Monaghan, and Claire Boles are the forwards available to Bemand and his Coaching Team on a strong bench, with backs Emily Lane and Eve Higgins completing Ireland’s 23.
Speaking about the team selection, Bemand says: “Having another opportunity to test ourselves is essential in the run up to the Rugby World Cup and we know Canada will provide us with a really strong test. Last week we fought back hard from conceding early tries and we know we will need to start stronger this week. There is a lot at stake with the squad for the Rugby World Cup being announced early next week.
Ireland Women: 15 Stacey Flood, 14 Beibhinn Parsons, 13 Aoife Dalton, 12 Enya Breen, 11 Anna McGann, 10 Dannah O’Brien, 9 Aoibheann Reilly, 8 Brittany Hogan, 7 Ivana Kiripati, 6 Grace Moore, 5 Fiona Tuite, 4 Ruth Campbell, 3 Linda Djougang, 2 Neve Jones, 1 Niamh O’Dowd
Replacements: 16 Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, 17 Ellena Perry, 18 Sadhbh McGrath, 19 Eimear Corri Fallon, 20 Sam Monaghan, 21 Claire Boles, 22 Emily Lane, 23 Eve Higgins
Date: Saturday, August 9
Venue: Kingspan, Belfast
Kick-off: 13.00 (08.00 Canada time; 12.00 GMT)
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (France)
Assistant Referees: Lauren Jenner (Italy), Berenice Bralley (France)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)
