The Ireland Women’s team has been announced by Coach Philip Doyle for their opening game of the IRB Women’s World Cup against England on Friday.
Niamh Briggs, named as one of the IRB’s ‘players to watch’ starts at Full-back. She is joined in the back three by Nora Stapleton, new to the team this year, and the experienced Amy Davis.
Ireland’s most capped player, Lynne Cantwell, makes her first appearance in the team in over a year as she takes her place in the centre after a stint playing in New Zealand. Joanne O’Sullivan completes the centre pairing.
Helen Brosnan starts at Out-half, a position she filled in Ireland’s last game against England. She is partnered by the experienced Tania Rosser at Scrum-half.
Captain Fiona Coghlan will be partnered in the front row by Gillian Bourke and Louise Austin. All three hailing from Women’s All Ireland league and cup champions UL Bohemians.
Navan’s Marie-Louise Reilly and Clonmel’s Kate O’Loughlin form the Second-row while the Back-row features the highly experienced Orla Brennan and Joy Neville alongside Claire Molloy.
Speaking of the upcoming task Coach, Philip Doyle said “I have been really impressed with the skills, dedication and commitment the girls have shown over the last number of months. The attitude of the squad has been phenomenal. Now we just want to get onto the pitch and play”
This game will be televised live on Sky Sports.
Ireland play former winners and three time finalists USA in their second game with the final pool game against Kazakhstan four days later. All the pool games are set to be played in the Surrey Sports Camp.
Ireland Women’s Team to play England:
15 – Niamh Briggs (Clonmel/ Munster)
14 – Amy Davis (Blackrock/ Leinster)
13 – Joanne O’Sullivan (Richmond/ Exile)
12 – Lynne Cantwell (UL Bohemians)
11 – Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)
10 – Helen Brosnan (Highfield/Munster)
9 – Tania Rosser (Blackrock/ Leinster)
1 – Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/ Leinster)
2 – Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians/ Munster)
3 – Louise Austin (UL Bohemians/ Munster)
4 – Kate O’Loughlin (Clonmel/ Munster)
5 – Marie Louise Reilly (Navan/ Leinster)
6 – Orla Brennan (Blackrock/ Leinster)
7 – Claire Molloy (Bristol/ Connacht)
8 – Joy Neville (UL Bohemians/ Munster)
Replacments:
16 – Yvonne Nolan (Blackrock/ Leinster)
17 – Laura Guest (Highfield/ Munster)
18 – Carol Staunton (Galwegians/ Connacht)
19 – Sinead Ryan (Blackrock/ Leinster)
20 – Louise Beamish (UL Bohemian/ Munster)
21 – Shannon Houston (Blackrock/ Leinster)
22 – Mairead Kelly (UL Bohemians/ Munster)
Ireland Women’s Rugby World Cup Fixtures:
England Women V Ireland Women, Surrey, Friday August 20th, 18:30
USA Women V Ireland Women, Surrey, Tuesday, August 24th, 16:30
Ireland Women V Kazakhstan, Surrey, Saturday, August 28th, 16:30
