Women’s: Irish Make One Change For Navan Date

…Blackrock’s Grace Davitt on the attack for Leinster during November’s Interprovincial final win over Munster…

Coach Philip Doyle has made one change to the Ireland Women’s team, bringing in Grace Davitt for her first 6 Nations cap against Scotland on Friday night (Navan RFC, 7.00pm).

Davitt comes in to replace Ulster flyer Suzanne Fleming on the left wing in the only change from the 14-7 defeat by Wales, two weeks ago.

Doyle said his side will be looking to pick themselves up after the disappointing nature of the Welsh game.

Doyle admitted: “We were disappointed with certain aspects of that game but now we are just looking forward to a tough game against Scotland. We have made just the one change and we feel that Grace has been impressive when she has come off the bench this year and she offers some more physicality and edge. She has proved herself to be a dynamic player which will be important against a strong Scotland side.”

Navan RFC will host the game on Friday – the first time a women’s international game has been held at the Meath club. Ireland have never beaten Scotland in 6 Nations fare. Last year’s result was 15-5 in the Scots’ favour.

IRELAND WOMEN’S TEAM (v Scotland Women, Navan RFC, Friday, March 10, kick-off 7.00pm):

15 – Joanne O’Sullivan (Lichfield); 14 – Nuala Ni Chadhain (Galwegians), 13 – Lynne Cantwell (Trojans), 12 – Patrique Kelly (UL Bohemians), 11 – Grace Davitt (Blackrock); 10 – Sarah-Jane Belton (UL Bohemians) (capt), 9 – Tania Rosser (Blackrock); 1 – Fiona Coughlan (UL Bohemians) (vice-captain), 2 – Jean Lonergan (Shannon), 3 – Marie Barrett (Highfield), 4 – Caroline Mahon (UL Bohemians), 5 – Germaine Healy (Blackrock), 6 – Orla Brennan (Blackrock), 7 – Rachel Boyd (Cooke), 8 – Joy Neville (Shannon).

Replacements: 16 – Gillian McAllister (Cooke), 17 – Rosie Foley (Shannon), 18 – Yvonne Nolan (Blackrock), 19 – Sinead Ryan (Navan), 20 – Louise Beamish (UL Bohemians), 21 – Amanda Greensmith (Shannon), 22 – Suzanne Fleming (Cooke).