Ireland Women’s Squad Named For Open Training Session

The Ireland Women’s squad to take part in an open training session at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast next Saturday has been named.

The squad of 33 sees a number of new faces who are uncapped at 15-a-side senior international level – including Nikki Caughey, a member of the Ireland Sevens squad, and Ballina teenager Mairead Hopkins who impressed in recent weeks for the Ireland Under-18 Girls Sevens side.
 
Speaking ahead of the trip to Belfast, Ireland Women’s head coach Tom Tierney said: “It’s a very exciting time for Women’s rugby in Ireland. We are coming into the new season on the back of a Six Nations win and with that comes great expectation.

“We have a number of new faces in the squad which is a testament to the popularity of Women’s rugby throughout the country.

“We are really looking forward to the open training session in Belfast and to get a run-out in front of supporters at Kingspan Stadium.”
 
Both Dublin and Belfast will host the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2017. The final stages of the tournament will take place Kingspan Stadium, the home of Ulster Rugby.

IRELAND WOMEN’S Squad (Open Training Session, Kingspan Stadium, Belfast, Saturday, October 10, 2.30pm):
 
Elaine Anthony (Highfield/Munster) *
Gillian Bourke (Wasps)
Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Hannah Casey (Saracens/Exile)
Nikki Caughey (Railway Union/Ulster) *
Ciara Cooney (Railway Union/Leinster) *
Mairead Coyne (Galwegians/Connacht) *
Kerrie-Ann Craddock (Saracens/Exile)
Jeamie Deacon (Blackrock/Leinster) *
Aine Donnelly (Cill Dara/Leinster) *
Grainne Egan (St. Mary’s/Connacht) *
Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Paula Fitzpatrick (Toulouse)       
Orla Fitzsimons (St. Mary’s/Leinster)
Zoe Grattage (Tralee/Munster) *
Mary Healy (Galwegians/Connacht)
Mairead Hopkins (Castlebar/Ballina/Connacht) *
Sharon Lynch (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Claire McLaughlin (Queen’s University/Ulster) *
Cliodhna Moloney (Railway Union/Leinster) *
Larissa Muldoon (Skewen)
Edel Murphy (UL Bohemians/Munster) *
Sene Naoupu (Galwegians/Connacht)
Katie Norris (Blackrock/Leinster)
Heather O’Brien (Toulouse)       
Fiona O’Brien (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Elise O’Byrne White (Old Belvedere/Leinster) *
Ruth O’Reilly (Galwegians/Connacht)
Ciara O’Connor (Galwegians/Connacht) *
Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Jackie Shiels (Richmond/Exile)
Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
 
* Denotes uncapped player at this level
 
Tickets for the Ireland Women’s Open Training Session are available now and are complimentary to all supporters. You can print yours now from ticketmaster.ie. Tickets are also available via telephone (028 9049 3222 Option 2) or from the Ticket Office at Kingspan Stadium.
 
1.30pm: Gates open
1.30pm-2.30pm: Women’s Six Nations trophy photo opportunity
2.30pm-4pm: Open training session
4pm-4.45pm: Fan meet and greet