Ireland Women’s Team To Play France

Ireland Women’s head coach Philip Doyle has named an unchanged team for their game against France in Pau this weekend.

Unfortunately last Friday’s opening encounter with Wales was called off at half-time due to a deterioration in weather conditions in Ashbourne. A decision has yet to be made on the rescheduling of this fixture.

Ireland were leading 10-3 at half-time following a sparkling try from winger Alison Miller and a conversion and penalty from Niamh Briggs.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash with France, head coach Philip Doyle said: “Thankfully after last week’s performance, even if it was only 40 minutes long, we are able to name an unchanged team and bench for this week’s game.

“France away is always a hard place to go and get a win but the ladies are in a good space at the moment and will take that into the weekend.

“I am in no doubt that the ladies will put in a performance and raise their game in order to get where they want to be.”

IRELAND WOMEN’S Team & Replacements (v France Women, RBS Women’s 6 Nations Championship, Stade du Hameau, Pau, Saturday, February 11, kick-off 6.30pm local time/5.30pm Irish time):

15 – Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
14 – Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians/Munster)
13 – Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster)
12 – Grace Davitt (Cooke/Ulster)
11 – Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Highfield/Connacht)
10 – Lynne Cantwell (Exile)
9 – Amy Davis (Blackrock/Leinster)
1 – Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster) (capt)
2 – Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster)
3 – Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
4 – Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
5 – Sophie Spence (Exile)
6 – Laura Guest (Highfield/Munster)
7 – Claire Molloy (Bristol/Exile)
8 – Joy Neville (UL Bohemians/Munster)

Replacements:

16 – Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary’s/Leinster)
17 – Ruth O’Reilly (Galwegians/Connacht)
18 – Siobhan Fleming (Tralee/Munster)
19 – Heather O’Brien (Highfield/Munster)
20 – Larissa Muldoon (Exile/UWIC/Ulster)
21 – Nikki Caughey (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
22 – Jennifer Murphy (Exile)

Ireland Women’s 2012 Fixtures/Results:

Friday, February 3 – Ireland Women v Wales Women, Ashbourne RFC (Match abandoned due to unplayable pitch)
Saturday, February 11 – France Women v Ireland Women, Stade du Hameau, Pau, 6.30pm local time/5.30pm Irish time
Friday, February 24 – Ireland Women v Italy Women, Ashbourne RFC
Friday, March 9 – Ireland Women v Scotland Women, Ashbourne RFC
Saturday, March 17 – England Women v Ireland Women, Esher RFC