Six Nations Preview: England Women v Ireland Women

ENGLAND WOMEN (1st) v IRELAND WOMEN (2nd), Molesey Road, Esher RFC, 2pm (live on RFU.com)

Team News: Ireland Women’s head coach Philip Doyle has named the team for the final game of this year’s Women’s RBS 6 Nations against England in Esher. The Irish side travel to England this weekend with a Triple Crown in their sights.

Doyle has made just one change to the side that defeated Scotland last weekend in Ashbourne. Gillian Bourke returns at hooker with Paula Fitzpatrick reverting to the replacements bench.

Speaking ahead of the game, Doyle said: “We have been very lucky in this tournament, we haven’t had to make too many changes and the depth in the squad is very strong.

“We are very realistic in our outlook and firmly believe we have closed the gap to put in a significant challenge on Saturday.”

The St. Patrick’s Day showdown between Ireland and defending champions England, who currently top the table with four wins from four, will be streamed live on the RFU website. Click here to view the game.

To watch Irish Rugby TV’s post-match interview with Philip Doyle following the 20-0 defeat of Scotland, please visit our YouTube channel.

Meanwhile, England welcome back flying winger Katherine Merchant to the starting line-up as the reigning champions look to secure a Grand Slam and a record seventh successive Championship title this weekend.

Although England head coach Gary Street has kept his pack unchanged he has made a handful of changes in the back-line which sees Merchant, who has scored an impressive 37 tries in 43 appearances for England, return to action for the first time since the victory against Italy a month ago.

Lichfield’s Natasha Hunt moves from full-back to scrum-half for this clash, with the versatile Emily Scarratt this time wearing the number 15 jersey.

Bristol’s Kim Oliver starts at centre while England also welcome back Saracens flanker Hannah Gallagher to the fold.

* Tickets for the England v Ireland Women’s game can be purchased on the day at Esher RFC or online here, priced £10 for adults and £5 for Under-16s.

ENGLAND WOMEN: Emily Scarratt (Lichfield); Katherine Merchant (Worcester), Rachael Burford (Richmond), Kimberley Oliver (Bristol), Kay Wilson (Bristol); Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) (capt), Natasha Hunt (Lichfield); Laura Keates (Worcester), Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield), Sophie Hemming (Bristol), Rowena Burnfield (Richmond), Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Marlie Packer (Bristol), Maggie Alphonsi (Saracens), Sarah Hunter (Lichfield).

Replacements: Amy Turner (Richmond), Rochelle Clark (Worcester), Rebecca Essex (Richmond), Hannah Gallagher (Saracens), La Toya Mason (Wasps), Ceri Large (Worcester), Michaela Staniford (Wasps).

IRELAND WOMEN: Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster); Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians/Munster), Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster), Grace Davitt (Cooke/Ulster), Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Highfield/Connacht); Lynne Cantwell (Exile), Amy Davis (Blackrock/Leinster); Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster) (capt), Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster), Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Sophie Spence (Exile), Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Laura Guest (Highfield/Munster), Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht), Joy Neville (UL Bohemians/Munster).

Replacements: Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Ruth O’Reilly (Galwegians/Connacht), Siobhan Fleming (Tralee/Munster), Heather O’Brien (Highfield/Munster), Larissa Muldoon (Exile/UWIC/Ulster), Shannon Houston (Blackrock College/Leinster), Jennifer Murphy (Exile).

Referee: Nicky Inwood (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Steve Harland, Simon Adams (both England)

Pre-Match Quotes: Fiona Coghlan (Ireland Women) – “The season has gone really well, we were a little disappointed with the performance against Scotland (last time out, but in fairness to them they put everything into it and they made our life hell at times.

“To come away with a 20-0 win at the end of the day is a real positive and now we’re looking forward to the England game and finishing the Six Nations strongly.

“This is probably the most tries we have ever scored and currently we are on the best points difference we have ever been on, which is also encouraging.

“The way we are trying to play is a ‘heads up’ kind of rugby, we see what’s in front of us and people play in any position moving the ball around and it seems to be working for us. We need to bring that against England this weekend.

“Our fans have been great and hopefully a few of them will make the trip over to England for this game when we go for a first ever Triple Crown.”

Katy Mclean (England Women) – “Ireland are really performing at the moment. You can’t underestimate them at all. The game is on St. Patrick’s Day and they will undoubtedly be coming here to spoil our party.

“We are going to have to do our homework well this week and be really up for it on Saturday to achieve want we want to achieve.

“As a captain it is great to know we are not a side that leaks points as we are not going to be able to get away with that against Ireland.

“Our defence has been outstanding this season; we haven’t conceded a try yet, just two penalties and that just shows our determination even though we have been tested.

“The Irish will be aware of that but at the same time we know what they can do and if we can build on the performance we put in against France last weekend then we’ll be in a good place.”

Pre-Match Links –

Irish Rugby TV: Ireland Women v Wales Women Highlights

Irish Rugby TV: Lynne Cantwell

Irish Rugby TV: Fiona Coghlan

Recent Meetings –

2009: Women’s RBS 6 Nations: Ireland Women 13 England Women 29, St. Mary’s College RFC

2010: Women’s RBS 6 Nations: England Women 22 Ireland Women 5, Esher RFC; Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool B: England Women 27 Ireland Women 0, Surrey Sports Park

2011: Women’s RBS 6 Nations: Ireland Women 0 England Women 31, Ashbourne RFC