6 Nations: Ireland will field seven uncapped players in their opening round Six Nations game this weekend.
The Irish have been hard hit by injuries and retirements since the World Cup and coach Philip Doyle has also been forced to make a number of positional switches.
The new players in the starting line-up are wing Niamh Kavanagh and centre Geraldine Rea with a further five on the bench.
The half-back pairing is also brand-new with Nora Stapleton and Amy Davis – both wingers last season – named in the pivotal positions.
Fiona Coghlan will captain the side and is joined in the front row by Gillian Bourke, now playing her club rugby in Bristol and Lauren Day, who missed out on the Women’s Rugby World Cup through injury.
Ireland’s most experienced player Lynne Cantwell is at centre where she will be a focal point for her team alongside number 8 Joy Neville (pictured) - who is a key leader in the team.
Niamh Briggs will again assume the kicking duties from full back.
For a preview of round one of the competition see HERE.
Ireland team to play Italy, (6 Nations Championship, Rovigo, Sunday February 6th, 14:30 local time, 13:30 Irish time)
Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster), Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians/Munster) *, Lynne Cantwell (Richmond/Exile), Geraldine Rea (Highfield/Munster) *, Mairead Kelly (UL Bohemians/Munster), Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Amy Davis (Blackrock/Leinster), Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster) Captain, Gillian Bourke (Bristol/Munster), Lauren Day (Waterloo/Ulster), Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Laura Guest (Highfield/Munster), Carol Staunton (Galwegians/Connacht), Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht), Joy Neville (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Replacements: Stacey Kennedy (City of Derry/Ulster) *, Emer McManamly (Blackrock/Leinster), Deirdre O'Brien (Blackrock/Leinster) *, Heather O'Brien (Highfield/Munster) *, Larissa Muldoon (UWIC/Exile) *, Gill Nolan (St. Mary's/Leinster) *, Jackie Shiels (Richmond/Leinster)
