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Rugby World Cup 2021 Qualifier: Spain v Ireland

Aoife McDermott has support from fellow forward Linda Djougang during Ireland's Six Nations win over Italy back in April ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Ireland begin their bid to qualify for next year’s Rugby World Cup, tackling Spain first up in the much-anticipated round-robin Europe Qualifier in Parma.

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2021 EUROPE QUALIFIER – ROUND 1: Monday, September 13

SPAIN WOMEN v IRELAND WOMEN, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma, 6pm local time/5pm Irish time (World Rugby YouTube/Facebook & rugbyworldcup.com/2021)

Team News: Head coach Adam Griggs has included two uncapped players for the clash with Spain – Ireland Sevens captain Lucy Mulhall starts at outside centre and IQ Rugby recruit Sam Monaghan is on the bench.

Ciara Griffin will captain the girls in green as Griggs makes just one change to the team that won 25-5 against Italy in April’s final Six Nations match.

Wicklow native Mulhall is selected for her debut in midfield alongside Sene Naoupu, while Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, the scorer of two tries against the Italians, leads an exciting back-three.

Eimear Considine and Beibhinn Parsons, who wins her 12th cap, feature out wide, as Stacey Flood and Kathryn Dane continue their burgeoning half-back partnership.

There is a familiar look to the pack with Lindsay Peat, Cliodhna Moloney and Linda Djougang, who is joining ASM Romagnat following this tournament, providing plenty of experience in the front row.

Aoife McDermott and Nichola Fryday combine at lock the fourth consecutive game, and young guns Dorothy Wall (21) and Brittany Hogan (22) join forces with skipper Griffin in the loose forwards.

Fit-again flanker Edel McMahon is named among the replacements having missed the Six Nations campaign through injury.

Neve Jones, Laura Feely, Leah Lyons and the uncapped Monaghan will also hope to add impact off the bench, while Emily Lane, Enya Breen and Lauren Delany provide Griggs with the back-line options.

Commenting ahead of the game, the New Zealander said: “We have been building towards this tournament for a number of months now, and the players have put in a huge volume of work to get to this point.

“The 23 selected have the honour of representing the wider group as we set out to achieve our goal of Rugby World Cup qualification.

“Spain first up will provide a stern test and the group are fully focused on starting our campaign on the front foot.

“We are confident the combinations and cohesion built up through the Six Nations will stand us in good stead for the challenges ahead, and we’re now excited to get up and running on Monday evening.”

Meanwhile, Spain boss José Antonio Barrio has made four changes up front, compared to the team that defeated the Netherlands 87-0 as they were crowned Rugby Europe champions back in February.

With captain Isabel Rico benched, Exeter Chiefs prop Laura Delgado leads the team from the front row, alongside Marga Rodriguez who gets the nod at hooker.

Lock Monica Castelo and back rowers Maria Calvo and Lourdes Alameda also return to the starting XV, for what will be Spain’s first Test match against Ireland since the 2008 European Championship.

Sevens star Patricia Garcia features at scrum half, winning her 40th cap at this level, while Toulouse talent Amalia Argudo reverts to midfield after scoring 17 points from full-back against the Dutch.

Iera Echebarria will don the number 15 jersey this time, with Majadahonda’s Maria Garcia coming in on the left wing for her 10th international appearance.

Head coach Barrio commented: “We believe that the European qualifying tournament will be tightly contested in such a short period, where you put four years’ work on the line under many variables.”

Rugby World Cup 2021 Europe Qualifier Schedule:

All games to be played at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma

Monday, September 13:

Scotland v Italy (3pm local time/2pm Irish time)
Spain v Ireland (6pm local time/5pm Irish time)

Sunday, September 19:

Italy v Ireland (3pm local time/2pm Irish time)
Spain v Scotland (6pm local time/5pm Irish time)

Saturday, September 25:

Italy v Spain (3pm local time/2pm Irish time)
Ireland v Scotland (6pm local time/5pm Irish time)

SPAIN WOMEN: Iera Echebarria (Eibar RT); Bea Dominguez (Sanse Scrum RC), Amaia Erbina (Jugadora FER), Amalia Argudo (Stade Toulousain), Maria Garcia (CR Majadahonda); Anne Fernandez de Corres (Eibar RT), Patricia Garcia (Exeter Chiefs); Saioa Jaurena (AS Bayonnaise), Marga Rodriguez (Universitario de Sevilla CR), Laura Delgado (Exeter Chiefs) (capt), Anna Puig (UE Santboiana), Monica Castelo (CRAT A Coruna), Olivia Fresneda (CR Cisneros), Maria Calvo (CR Cisneros), Lourdes Alameda (Sanse Scrum RC).

Replacements: Isabel Rico (Olimpico de Pozuelo CR), Cristina Blanco (Olimpico de Pozuelo CR), Maika Brust (AS Bayonnaise), Carmen Castellucci (AC Bobigny 93), Carmen Rodera (CR Majadahonda), Lucia Diaz (CR Majadahonda), Lea Ducher (Universitario de Sevilla CR), Eva Aguirre (CR Majadahonda).

IRELAND WOMEN: Eimear Considine (UL Bohemians/Munster); Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Railway Union/Munster), Lucy Mulhall (Rathdrum/Leinster), Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Beibhinn Parsons (Ballinasloe/Blackrock College/Connacht); Stacey Flood (Railway Union/Leinster), Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere/Ulster); Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/Leinster), Cliodhna Moloney (Wasps/IQ Rugby), Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Aoife McDermott (Railway Union/Leinster), Nichola Fryday (Blackrock College/Connacht), Dorothy Wall (Blackrock College/Munster), Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemians/Munster) (capt), Brittany Hogan (DCU/Old Belvedere/Ulster).

Replacements: Neve Jones (Malone/Ulster), Laura Feely (Blackrock College/Connacht), Leah Lyons (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby), Sam Monaghan (Wasps/IQ Rugby), Edel McMahon (Wasps/IQ Rugby), Emily Lane (Blackrock College/Munster), Enya Breen (UL Bohemians/Munster), Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby).

Referee: Nikki O’Donnell (England)
Assistant Referees: Hollie Davidson (Scotland), Clara Munarini (Italy)
TMO: Andrea Piardi (Italy)

Pre-Match Quotes – Ciara Griffin (Ireland Women):

You’ve got to bring everything you can to every game and focus on one game at a time. That’s our main focus.

“First up is Spain, so that has been our main focus this week, and that’s the job to be done. Obviously they’re a team we haven’t played very often, which is a challenge in itself.

“For us, it’s focusing on what we can do. We know they’ve some very good Sevens and 15s players integrated together.

“They like to play expansive, quick rugby. It’s up to us to counteract that in our defensive systems and we should do the job, hopefully.

“It’s great for Lucy. It just shows the work she has put in since she was brought into the squad, in terms of training and putting her hand up for selection.

“I’m excited to see her go and bring her own stamp to it. I wish her all the best.”

Pre-Match Links –

Match Schedule Confirmed For RWC Qualifier

Griggs: We’re Well Prepared For ‘Unpredictable’ Spain

Considine Determined To Get Ireland ‘Back On The Top Ladder’

In Pics: Ireland Add Finishing Touches To Prep For RWC Qualifier

Griffin: ‘We’ve Been Waiting 18 Months For This. We’re Ready’

Recent Meetings –

2005: Women’s Six Nations: Spain Women 19 Ireland Women 17, Campo Central Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid

2006: Women’s Six Nations: Ireland Women 25 Spain Women 10, Donnybrook

2008: FIRA Women’s European Championship – Pool A: Ireland Women 41 Spain Women 7, Amsterdam

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