No Changes To Women’s Team

Despite Ireland’s disappointing loss against Scotland last weekend, Philip Doyle has chosen not to ring the changes for Saturday’s clash with England.

…Ireland full-back Joanne O’Sullivan, who plays for Lichfield, will be lining out against club colleague and house mate Charlotte Barros of England on Saturday…

Despite Ireland’s disappointing loss against Scotland last weekend, Philip Doyle has chosen not to ring the changes for this Saturday’s clash with England.

Ireland full-back Joanne O’Sullivan, who plays for English club Lichfield, will line out opposite her club colleague and house mate Charlotte Barros, who will play on the wing for England.

O’Sullivan, winning her 17th cap this weekend, has been one of Ireland’s outstanding backs in this season’s tournament. She lined out opposite Barros in last year’s competition as well, and says that despite the competition between the two countries, the friends encoruage each other throughout the season.

O’Sullivan said: “Well she doesn’t leave any paperwork or DVDs about the England team lying around the house but we do support each other. This is my first season playing at full-back and I’m beginning to really enjoy it more now as I get used to the position.

“For us, England are always a massive challenge and this season it looks like they are really focusing on forward power to set their backs alight so our defence has to be very strong. They will be looking to add serious points on us to round off their season.”

Ireland face a Grand Slam chasing England side who defeated France 28-0 last weekend.

IRELAND WOMEN’S TEAM (v ENGLAND WOMEN, Old Albanians RFC, St. Albans, Saturday, March 18, kick-off 3.00pm):

Joanne O’Sullivan (Lichfield); Nuala Ni Chadhain (Galwegians), Lynne Cantwell (Trojans), Patrique Kelly (UL Bohemians), Grace Davitt (Blackrock); Sarah Jane Belton (UL Bohemians) (captain), Tania Rosser (Blackrock); Fiona Coughlan (UL Bohemians) (vice-captain), Jean Lonergan (Shannon), Marie Barrett (Highfield), Caroline Mahon (UL Bohemians), Germaine Healy (Blackrock), Orla Brennan (Blackrock), Rachel Boyd (Cooke), Joy Neville (Shannon).

Replacements: Gillian McAllister (Cooke), Rosie Foley (Shannon), Yvonne Nolan (Blackrock), Sinead Ryan (Navan), Louise Beamish (UL Bohemians), Amanda Greensmith (Shannon), Suzanne Fleming (Cooke).