Ireland Women’s Squad Named For Training Camp
Ireland Women’s head coach Tom Tierney has named a 31-strong squad, which includes a number of uncapped players, to take part in a two-day camp this weekend in Dublin as they prepare to play England, Canada and New Zealand in the Women’s November Series.
Highfield prop Leah Lyons is included as is second row Nichola Fryday from Tullamore. Anna Caplice, who has been capped for Ireland at Sevens level, is part of this weekend’s squad, as is her UL Bohemians team-mate and fellow back rower Chloe Pearse. Galwegians centre Nicole Fowley is the only uncapped back in the squad.
Tickets for the Women’s Novembber Series are on sale on www.ticketmaster.ie/womensrugby.
Announcing the squad, Tom Tierney said: “As we prepare for three big games this November, we have selected a squad that contains a nice blend of youth and experience.
“A number of the players selected made their debuts against England last November and since then have continued to develop as players with their clubs, provinces and with Ireland during last season’s Six Nations. We’ve also included some uncapped players who have been performing well for their clubs this season in the All-Ireland League.
“With the Women’s Rugby World Cup now less than a year away, we have three very big Tests coming up in UCD, which will be the start of our build-up to Ireland 2017.
“Kicking off against World Cup holders England, followed by World Cup runners-up Canada and then finally New Zealand, who are coming to Europe off the back of two strong wins against Australia, it’s going to be a very demanding series of games, but it is not too dissimilar to a World Cup scenario. So, with that in mind, it’s important that we have a squad of players who can step in when required.”
Also joining the squad at the weekend will be a number of players from the Ireland Women’s Sevens side, who themselves are currently preparing for the first leg of the HBSC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series, which will take place in Dubai on December 2-3.
A bus subsidy is available from the IRFU to clubs travelling to the November Series games – for more information on how to avail of this offer, please contact womensrugby@irfu.ie.
IRELAND WOMEN’S Squad (Training Camp, Dublin, October 29-30):
Backs (13) –
Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster) (capt)
Liz Burke (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Nikki Caughey (Railway Union/Ulster)
Mairead Coyne (Galwegians/Connacht)
Nicole Fowley (Galwegians/Connacht) *
Mary Healy (Galwegians/Connacht)
Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Claire McLaughlin (Cooke/Ulster)
Alison Miller (Old Belvedere/Connacht)
Larissa Muldoon (Railway Union)
Sene Naoupu (Aylesford Bulls)
Jackie Shiels (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Forwards (18) –
Anna Caplice (UL Bohemians/Munster) *
Ciara Cooney (Railway Union/Leinster)
Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary’s/Leinster)
Orla Fitzsimons (St. Mary’s/Leinster)
Nichola Fryday (Tullamore/Connacht) *
Zoe Grattage (Highfield/Munster)
Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Leah Lyons (Highfield/Munster) *
Claire Molloy (Bristol)
Cliodhna Moloney (Railway Union/Leinster)
Katie Norris (Blackrock/Leinster)
Chloe Pearse (UL Bohemians/Munster) *
Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/Leinster)
Fiona Reidy (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
* Denotes uncapped player
Women’s November Series Fixtures –
Sunday, November 13:
Ireland Women v England Women, UCD Bowl, 2pm
Saturday, November 19:
Ireland Women v Canada Women, UCD Bowl, 2pm
Wednesday, November 23:
Canada Women v New Zealand Women, Donnybrook, 1pm
Sunday, November 27:
Ireland Women v New Zealand Women, UCD Bowl, 2pm
Next August, Ireland will host the Women’s Rugby World Cup. For more information visit www.irishrugby.ie/Ireland2017.