Women’s Team Announced For USA Game
Coach Philip Doyle has named two new caps in the Ireland Women’s team to play the USA at Thomond Park (kick-off 7.00pm) on Wednesday.
…Leinster captain Caroline Mahon lifting the Women’s Interprovincial title in November…
Coach Philip Doyle has named two new caps in the Ireland Women’s team to play the USA at Thomond Park (kick-off 7.00pm) on Wednesday.
Munster and Highfield prop Marie Barrett will start for the first time while there is also a debut for Leinster captain Caroline Mahon, who is named in the second row after impressing in this season’s Interprovincial campaign.
There are no other major surprises in the starting line-up, although Lynne Cantwell moves from the wing to outside centre to partner Patrique Kelly with Suzanne Fleming making the switch to the left wing.
It is the first time Ireland have ever played the USA – a team they will also face at the Women’s World Cup in the autumn. The match is part of the USA’s tour to Europe. They have beaten Scotland 13-6 and they will also due to play England ‘A’.
The one-off international will prove invaluable preparation for Ireland’s Six Nations campaign, and also give them a good indication as to the competition they will encounter next September in Edmonton. Sarah Jane Belton will captain the side. Ireland have named ten substitutes which they can choose from, after agreeing an extended bench with the USA management.
Doyle said that he was expecting a hugely physical challenge from the Americans. “They have beaten Scotland already on this tour and the games I have seen them play have all been very tough and physical,” he said.
“We’ve had five training weekends together now in a row and this game for us is really about the performance. We have been training well and are using this game to see how the girls react to the things we have been doing at those sessions.”
IRELAND WOMEN: Joanne O Sullivan (Lichfield); Nuala Ni Chadhain (Galwegians), Lynne Cantwell (Trojans), Patrique Kelly (UL Bohemians), Suzanne Fleming(Cooke); Sarah Jane Belton (UL Bohemians) (capt), Tania Rosser (Blackrock); Fiona Coughlan (UL Bohemians) (vice-captain), Jean Lonergan(Shannon), Marie Barrett (Highfield), Caroline Mahon (UL Bohemians), Germaine Healy (Blackrock), Orla Brennan (Blackrock), Rachel Boyd (Cooke), Joy Neville (Shannon).
Replacements: Amanda Greensmith (Shannon), Louise Beamish (UL Bohemians), Grace Davitt (Blackrock), Jeannette Feighery (UL Bohemians), Laura Guest (Clonakilty), Gillian McAllister (Cooke), Yvonne Nolan (Blackrock), Kate O’Loughlin (Clonmel), Christine Robb (Armagh), Sinead Ryan (Navan).