Molloy, Naoupu And Casey Called Up For Barbarians Debuts
Ireland Women's star Claire Molloy is set to close out the season in the famous Barbarians jersey against England at Twickenham ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson
Ireland internationals Claire Molloy, Sene Naoupu and Hannah Casey will represent the Barbarians Women against England, the 2019 Grand Slam champions, at Twickenham on Sunday week (June 2) (kick-off 12.45pm). It is part of a double header with the men’s teams.
The trio are set to make their Barbarians debuts, joining fellow Irish players Fiona Coghlan, Jackie Shiels, Marie Louise Reilly, Ailis Egan, Nora Stapleton, Edel McMahon, Tania Rosser, Gillian Bourke, Sophie Spence, Alison Miller and Paula Fitzpatrick who have all had the honour in the last 18-and-a-half months.
Flanker Molloy and centres Naoupu and Casey have amassed 110 Ireland caps between them, with Molloy and Naoupu both part of Adam Griggs’ current squad. Casey came through the Exiles pathway, playing for Ireland at the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup, and helped Saracens to retain their Tyrrells Premier 15s title last month.
Giving her reaction to her call-up, Molloy tweeted: “Can’t wait to wear the Barbarians jersey. Privileged to get to train, work and play with these world class players, some who I’ve luckily played with before and some who I’ve played against.”
The Barbarians selection includes five members of England’s 2014 World Cup-winning squad – Rochelle Clark, Danielle Waterman, Ceri Large, Tamara Taylor and Laura Keates – and there are eight different nations represented. New Zealand’s Anna Richards coaches the Baa Baas side, assisted by Wales’ Liza Burgess.
Among the other familiar names are Welsh duo Elinor Snowsill and Jasmine Joyce, the latter having starred with four tries for the Barbarians in their 34-33 win over the USA in Denver last month, and former New Zealand Sevens player Kayla Ahki who lined out for Galwegians in the Women’s All-Ireland League during her husband Pita’s spell with Connacht last season.
Tickets for the England v Barbarians double header at Twickenham are on sale with prices from £20 for adults and £10 for children. Tickets are available from www.englandrugby.com/tickets. The two matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action, with the Women’s game also on Sky Sports Mix.
BARBARIANS WOMEN’S Squad (v England Women) – Backs (11): Kayla Ahki (Unattached), Hannah Casey (Saracens/Ireland), Tova Derk (Wasps), Georgina Gulliver (Saracens/England), Jasmine Joyce (Worcester Valkyries/Wales), Kristina Sue (Manawatu Cyclones/New Zealand), Ceri Large (Gloucester Hartpury/England), Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/Ireland), Elinor Snowsill (Bristol Bears/Wales), Danielle Waterman (Wasps/England), Emily Wood (Gloucester Hartpury/England).
Forwards (12): Rochelle Clark (Wasps/England), Dalena Dennison (Warringah/Australia), Fiao’o Fa’amausili (Auckland Marist/New Zealand), Carmen Farmer (Glendale/USA), Linda Itunu (Ponsonby/New Zealand), Laura Keates (Worcester Valkyries/England), Heather Kerr (Darlington MP/England), Justine Lavea (Ardmore Marist/New Zealand), Claire Molloy (Wasps/Ireland), Gaelle Mignot (Montpellier/France), Tamara Taylor (Darlington MP/England), Steph Te Ohaere-Fox (Christchurch/New Zealand).