Women’s Team Named For Scotland Clash

The Ireland team for tonight’s IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup 5th-8th place play-off against Scotland has been named, with Mairead Kelly retaining her place in the matchday 22.

…Will Ireland be celebrating in Edmonton tonight?…

The Ireland team for tonight’s IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup 5th-8th place play-off against Scotland has been named, with Mairead Kelly retaining her place in the matchday 22.

Cork Ladies footballer Kelly scored on her debut against South Africa last week and will remain on the bench as one of Ireland’s back-up three-quarters. The clash with Scotland takes place at midnight (Irish time) and IrishRugby.ie will be running a live match tracker from St. Albert RFC, Edmonton.

In other changes to the side that beat South Africa 37-0, Highfield prop Marie Barrett makes way for Ulster’s Gillian McAllister at tighthead, Rosie Foley trades places with Germaine Healy in the second row, while Nuala Ni Chadhain from Galwegians comes in for Suzanne Fleming on the left wing.

Irish coach Philip Doyle has added an extra back to his replacements bench, as Clonakilty prop Laura Guest has lost her place, while replacement scrum half Louise Beamish has also been excluded.

Scotland’s defeat to New Zealand saw them finish in fifth place at the end of the pool stages. Ireland’s victory over the South Africans helped them climb to eighth – aided by Spain’s shock 14-12 win over Samoa.

Prior to their departure for the World Cup, the girls in green managed to beat Scotland for the first time ever, 17-6, and if they win tonight, they could finish fifth in the final table – a remarkable feat considering their two early losses to France and the USA.

The Americans or Australia would be their opponents in the 5th-6th place play-off.

Ireland: Sarahjane Belton (capt); Jeanette Feighery, Lynne Cantwell, Grace Davitt, Nuala Ni Chadhain; Jo O’Sullivan, Tania Rosser; Fiona Coghlan, Jean Lonergan, Gillian McAllister, Caroline Mahon, Germaine Healy, Orla Brennan, Rachel Boyd, Joy Neville.

Replacements: Yvonne Nolan, Marie Barrett, Rosie Foley, Eimear O’Sullivan, Shannon Houston, Mairead Kelly, Suzanne Fleming.

Scotland: Lucy Millard; Rhona Shepherd, Rimma Petlevannaya, Veronica Fitzpatrick, Chris Ovenden; Erin Kerr, Paula Chambers (capt); Lynne Reid, Iona Frickleton, Karen Findlay, Jilly McCord, Lindsay Wheeler, Susie Brown, Donna Kennedy, Clare Muir.

Replacements: Gail Russell, Heather Lockhart, Sarah Mee, Shona Watt, Elizabeth Dalgliesh, Lynsey Douglas, Rachael Nicholson.

Referee: Nicky Inwood (New Zealand)
Touch Judges: Debbie Innes (England), Tood Van Vliet (Canada)