Three Changes For Ireland Women

Ireland Women’s coach Kevin West has named his team for their final game of this year’s RBS Women’s 6 Nations against Scotland at Ashbourne RFC on Friday night (kick-off 7.30pm).

Head coach Kevin West has made three changes to the starting line-up from last weekend’s terrific 18-3 win over Wales at the same venue.

Up front, Gillian Bourke comes in at hooker with Sinead Ryan starting at openside flanker.

In the back-line, Nora Stapleton gets the nod to start on the left wing, joining Niamh Briggs and Amy Davis in an exciting back-three.

Chris Fanning and Caroline Mahon have been included among the replacements, along with recent debutant Eliza Downey who makes her first appearance in the matchday squad since the opening game of the Championship.

Ireland are currently third in the table behind England and France and similarly to the men’s side, they need to beat Scotland and hope that champions elect England overcome France by a big margin to stand a chance of making second.

A Supporters bus will operate again this week from Old Belvedere to Ashbourne RFC. The bus leaves at 6.30pm on Friday and space is limited so book now.

The 20 euro fee includes return coach, ticket to the match and one free drink at the Ashbourne RFC bar. For more information, please contact Jenny MacGregor – jpmacgregor@gmail.com – to reserve your seat.

IRELAND WOMEN’S Team & Replacements (v Scotland Women, RBS Women’s 6 Nations Championship, Ashbourne RFC, Friday, March 19, kick-off 7.30 pm):

15 – Niamh Briggs (Clonmel/Munster)
14 – Amy Davis (Blackrock/Leinster)
13 – Joanne O’Sullivan (Richmond/Exile)
12 – Grace Davitt (Blackrock/Leinster)
11 – Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
10 – Helen Brosnan (Highfield/Munster)
9 – Tania Rosser (Blackrock/Leinster)
1 – Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster) (capt)
2 – Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster)
3 – Lauren Day (Cooke/Ulster)
4 – Kate O’Loughlin (Clonmel/Munster)
5 – Marie Louise Reilly (Navan/Leinster)
6 – Orla Brennan (Blackrock/Leinster)
7 – Sinead Ryan (Navan/Leinster)
8 – Joy Neville (UL Bohemians/Munster)

Replacements:

16 – Chris Fanning (Highfield/Munster)
17 – Louise Austin (UL Bohemians/Munster)
18 – Caroline Mahon (UL Bohemians/Leinster)
19 – Carol Staunton (Galwegians/Connacht)
20 – Louise Beamish (UL Bohemians/Munster)
21 – Shannon Houston (Blackrock/Leinster)
22 – Eliza Downey (Cooke/Ulster)