Ireland coach Philip Doyle has named his team to play host nation England tomorrow night in their opening Women’s Rugby World Cup match.
The team has a familiar look to it with the midfield boosted by the return of Lynne Cantwell, the squad’s most experienced player who spent the past year playing in New Zealand.
She is joined in the centre by Joanne O’Sullivan and the duo will bring plenty of knowledge about the English game with them, as O’Sullivan plays for Richmond in London while Cantwell also played there a few seasons ago.
On the flank, Claire Molloy also has plenty of first hand knowledge of the opposition as she plays her rugby in Bristol and lines out alongside many England international players including the captain Catherine Spencer.
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 meaning the front three all come from the current All Ireland league and cup champions UL Bohemians.
Head 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”
Ireland have never beaten England so will have to be at their best to hope to cause any upset.
Captain Fiona Coghlan told us this week how the team was settling in at their World Cup base.
Ireland team to play England: Niamh Briggs, Amy Davis, Joanne O'Sullivan, Lynne Cantwell, Nora Stapleton, Helen Brosnan, Tania Rosser, Fiona Coghlan, Gillian Bourke, Louise Austin, Kate O’Loughlin, Marie Louise Reilly, Orla Brennan, Claire Molloy, Joy Neville
Replacments: Yvonne Nolan, Laura Guest, Carol Staunton, Sinead Ryan, Louise Beamish, Shannon Houston, Mairead Kelly
