One Change For Ireland Women

Ireland Women’s head coach Tom Tierney has made one change to the team that overcame Italy for Friday’s eagerly-awaited Women’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France at Ashbourne RFC (kick-off 7.30pm).

Katie Fitzhenry has been promoted from the bench to line out at inside centre with Jackie Shiels named among the replacements.

It will be Wexford woman Fitzhenry’s second cap and first start for Ireland as the girls in green take on defending champions France, who beat Scotland 42-0 in the opening round.
 
Ireland head coach Tom Tierney, whose first game in charge finished in a 30-5 win in Florence, said: “It was great to get the result last week and there was some good things we can take out of the Italy clash. This week sees another step up for the players in terms of opposition.
 
“Playing at home is a great plus for us and hopefully we will have a big Ashbourne crowd to make it a good atmosphere to help give those home supporters a good performance and a win.”
 
Friday’s round 2 match will be streamed live on www.IrishRugby.ie with a commentary team that includes former Ireland Women’s captain Fiona Coghlan. Match tickets are priced at €;10 for adults and €;5 for OAPs, students and children.
 
IRELAND WOMEN’S Team & Replacements (v France Women, 2015 Women’s RBS 6 Nations, Ashbourne RFC, Friday, February 13, kick-off 7.30pm):

15. Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster) (capt)
14. Hannah Tyrrell (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
13. Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
12. Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock/Leinster)
11. Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Connacht)
10. Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
9. Larissa Muldoon (Skewen)        
1. Ruth O’Reilly (Galwegians/Connacht)
2. Gillian Bourke (Olympico de Pozuelo)
3. Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
4. Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
5. Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
6. Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary’s/Leinster)
7. Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht)
8. Heather O’Brien (Highfield/Munster)

Replacements:
 
16. Sarah Mimnagh (Wasps/Exile)
17. Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemians/Munster)
18. Fiona O’Brien (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
19. Orla Fitzsimons (St. Mary’s/Leinster)
20. Katie Norris (Blackrock/Leinster)
21. Tania Rosser (Blackrock/Leinster)
22. Jackie Shiels (Richmond/Exile)
23. Sene Naoupu (Galwegians/Connacht)

IRELAND WOMEN’S Management Team –

Anthony Eddy – Director of Sevens and Women’s Rugby
Tom Tierney – Head Coach
Declan O’Brien – Assistant Coach
Derek Dowling – Scrum Coach
Jean Casey – Team Manager
Marian Earls – Strength and Conditioning Co-ordinator
Lukasz Kirszenstein – Strength and Conditioning Coach
Brian Fitzgerald – Video Analyst
Lucy Soden – Team Doctor
Ulrik McCarthy – Physio
Dom Hoban – Physio
Nora Ni Fhlannagain – Nutritionist
Carmel O’Dwyer – Squad Co-ordinator
Maria Boland – Media Officer

IRELAND WOMEN’S 2015 RBS 6 Nations Fixtures/Results:

Friday, February 6: Italy 5 Ireland 30, Stadio Mario Lodigiani, Florence

Friday, February 13: Ireland v France, Ashbourne RFC, 7.30pm (Tickets: €;10 adults/€;5 for OAPs/students/children) (Stream: www.IrishRugby.ie)

Friday, February 27: Ireland v England, Ashbourne RFC, 7.30pm (Tickets: €;10 adults/€;5 for OAPs/students/children) (Stream: www.IrishRugby.ie)

Sunday, March 15: Wales v Ireland, St. Helen’s, Swansea, 12pm (Tickets: £10 adults/no charge for OAPs/students/children) (Stream: www.S4C.co.uk)

Sunday, March 22: Scotland v Ireland, Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld, 1pm (Tickets £5 adults/no charge for OAPs/students/children) (Stream: tbc)