The Ireland Women are back in action for the first time since regaining the Six Nations title in March, as Tom Tierney’s new-look side take on England at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
2015 AUTUMN INTERNATIONAL MATCH: Saturday, November 14
ENGLAND WOMEN v IRELAND WOMEN, Twickenham Stoop, 3pm (live stream on www.EnglandRugby.com)
Team News: The Ireland Women’s team to play England in an historic first autumn international has been named. There are six uncapped players included in Tom Tierney’s starting line-up.
New caps Jeamie Deacon of Blackrock and Mairead Coyne from Galwegians have been named on the wings with team captain Niamh Briggs at full-back.
Cill Dara’s Aine Donnelly will win her first cap in the centre alongside the experienced Jackie Shiels, with Coyne’s club-mate Sene Naoupu donning the number 10 jersey for the first time alongside regular scrum half Larissa Muldoon.
Cliodhna Moloney from Railway Union is named in the front row, while Highfield’s Elaine Anthony and Ciara Cooney (Railway Union) make up a new-look second row.
In a strong back row unit, World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year nominee Sophie Spence will pack down with Toulouse recruits Paula Fitzpatrick and Heather O’Brien.
Fans will be able to watch a live stream of the match on www.englandrugby.com. Tickets are available to buy here.
Meanwhile, England Women’s lead coach Scott Bemand has made three changes in personnel as his side look to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointing 11-0 defeat away to France.
World Cup winners La Toya Mason and Emma Croker are set to run out at the Stoop, accompanied by Justine Lucas who replaces the injured Laura Keates in a new front row.
Centre Ceri Large said: “I think we can thrive from the pressure of performance and I know that me as a player, I like the pressure so I think it’s something we can thrive off rather than take a backwards step.”
The England Women have left Twickenham Stadium to relocate next door at the Twickenham Stoop to provide their own identity.
ENGLAND WOMEN: Sarah McKenna (Saracens); Katie Mason (Bristol), Lauren Cattell (Saracens), Ceri Large (Worcester), Charlotte Clapp (Saracens); Emily Scott (Thurrock), La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks); Rochelle Clark (Worcester), Emma Croker (Richmond), Justine Lucas (Lichfield), Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Abbie Scott (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Hannah Gallagher (Saracens), Marlie Packer (Wasps), Sarah Hunter (Bristol) (capt).
Replacements: Amy Cokayne (Lichfield), Vickii Cornborough (Richmond), Heather Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield), Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol), Leanne Riley (Richmond), Rachel Lund (Worcester), Ruth Laybourn (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks).
IRELAND WOMEN: Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster) (capt); Jeamie Deacon (Blackrock/Leinster), Aine Donnelly (Cill Dara/Leinster), Jackie Shiels (Richmond/Exile), Mairead Coyne (Galwegians/Connacht); Sene Naoupu (Galwegians/Connacht), Larissa Muldoon (Skewen); Ruth O’Reilly (Galwegians/Connacht), Cliodhna Moloney (Railway Union/Leinster), Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Elaine Anthony (Highfield/Munster), Ciara Cooney (Railway Union/Leinster), Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Paula Fitzpatrick (Toulouse), Heather O’Brien (Toulouse).
Replacements: Zoe Grattage (Tralee/Munster), Fiona Reidy (UL Bohemians/Munster), Fiona O’Brien (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Katie Norris (Blackrock/Leinster), Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/Leinster), Mary Healy (Galwegians/Connacht), Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Claire McLaughlin (Queen’s University/Ulster).
Referee: Marie Lematte (France)
Pre-Match Quotes – Tom Tierney (Ireland Women’s head coach): “There’s no point playing teams that you know you’re going to beat, and you’re not going to get any learnings or teachings out of it. Going up against England away from home, in London…the Irish Women’s team has never beaten England away from home which is quite understandable because England are obviously one of the top teams in the world and are the reigning World champions.
“It’s about pitting ourselves against the best away from home this coming weekend, and giving a lot of opportunity to new players to see how they handle the next level, which is international level, so that we can build as big a squad and as competent a squad as possible going into the Six Nations next year and the World Cup in 2017.
“Our goal, myself and Anthony (Eddy), coming into our roles less than a year ago was to be competitive but also be successful in both forms of the game – both Sevens and Fifteens,” explained the Limerick man.
“We really highlighted the fact that if we can be competent in both forms of the game and successful in both forms of the game, it’s only going to be better for growing the sport here in Ireland and making it more accessible to younger players, but also challenging in competitions and challenging for trophies. That’s the dual purpose of our tenure.”
Matt Ferguson (England Women assistant coach): “What was a bad day (against France) would have been an even worse experience if we didn’t learn any lessons from it and we need to make sure we can show that this group has learnt those lessons.
“We’ve now got a fixture in our own backyard on our own turf and the fortress at Twickenham becomes the ‘super Stoop’, but we’re really fortunate to have that link with Harlequins and I think the girls are really excited about having somewhere they’re familiar with that we can call our home.”
Pre-Match Links –
Tierney: It’s A Great Opportunity For The Girls Involved
Ireland Newcomer McLaughlin Eager To Make ‘Step Up’
In Pics: Ireland Women’s Open Session At Kingspan Stadium
Recent Meetings –
2013: Women’s RBS 6 Nations: Ireland Women 25 England Women 0, Ashbourne RFC
2014: Women’s RBS 6 Nations: England Women 17 Ireland Women 10, Twickenham; Women’s Rugby World Cup Semi-Final: Ireland Women 7 England Women 40, Stade Jean Bouin, Paris
2015: Women’s RBS 6 Nations: Ireland Women 11 England Women 8, Ashbourne RFC
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