As the 2019 Women’s Six Nations comes to a close following England’s coronation as Grand Slam champions last night, Ireland and Wales will battle it out in a bid to finish with a flourish. If results go their way, Adam Griggs’ charges could still finish third in the table.
2019 WOMEN’S SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP: Sunday, March 17
WALES WOMEN (5th) v IRELAND WOMEN (4th), Cardiff Arms Park, 1.30pm (live RTÉ 2/www.rte.ie/player/S4C/Six Nations Facebook stream (France/Italy only)/FloRugby (USA))
Team News: The Ireland Women’s team to face Wales in the final round of the Women’s Six Nations in Cardiff this afternoon has been named. Head coach Adam Griggs has made two changes to the side that lost 47-17 to France at Energia Park last weekend.
17-year-old Ballinasloe speedster Beibhinn Parsons has been rewarded with her first start for Ireland, taking over on the left wing from the sidelined Alison Miller whom she replaced early in the second half against the French. The talented teenager won her three previous caps as a replacement.
Lindsay Peat, who has fully recovered from a neck injury, returns at loosehead prop for her first start of the tournament. Donegal native Laura Feely drops to a replacements bench which includes her Galwegians club-mate Edel McMahon, who is back from injury for the Championship finale at the Arms Park.
Fresh from her debut again les Bleues, Skibbereen’s Enya Breen (19) continues at outside centre – she impressed in January’s 29-19 warm-up victory over Wales in Donnybrook – and Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird, who made her first Six Nations start against France, will gain more experience in the hooker role.
Meanwhile, Wales Women head coach Rowland Phillips believes his side can raise their game for their final round showdown with familiar foes Ireland. They are banking on another big game from number 8 Siwan Lillicrap who completed more successful carries (66) than anyone else across the first four rounds.
There are two changes to the Welsh outfit that registered a dramatic 17-15 victory away to Scotland thanks to Lillicrap’s 80th-minute converted try. Experienced out-half Elinor Snowsill from Bristol Bears returns at number 10 and Scarlets’ Alisha Butchers slots back in at blindside flanker.
Wales Women v Ireland Women tickets are available to buy from the Cardiff Blues ticket office. Email ticket.office@cardiffblues.com or telephone 029 20 30 20 30 for further information. Tickets will be available from 10am today at the WRU shop on Westgate Street.
Women’s Six Nations Results/Fixtures
Women’s Six Nations Table
WALES WOMEN: Lauren Smyth (Ospreys); Jasmine Joyce (Scarlets), Hannah Jones (Scarlets), Lleucu George (Scarlets), Jess Kavanagh (RGC); Elinor Snowsill (Bristol Bears), Keira Bevan (Ospreys); Caryl Thomas (Dragons), Carys Phillips (Ospreys) (capt), Amy Evans (Ospreys), Gwen Crabb (Ospreys), Mel Clay (Ospreys), Alisha Butchers (Scarlets), Bethan Lewis (Dragons), Siwan Lillicrap (Ospreys).
Replacements: Kelsey Jones (Ospreys), Cara Hope (Ospreys), Cerys Hale (Dragons), Alex Callender (Scarlets), Manon Johnes (Cardiff Blues), Ffion Lewis (Scarlets), Robyn Wilkins (Blues), Lisa Neumann (RGC).
IRELAND WOMEN: Lauren Delany (Firwood Waterloo Ladies/IQ Rugby); Eimear Considine (UL Bohemians/Munster), Enya Breen (UL Bohemians/Munster), Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Beibhinn Parsons (Ballinasloe/Connacht); Nicole Fowley (Galwegians/Connacht), Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere/Ulster); Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/Leinster), Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird (UL Bohemians/Munster), Fiona Reidy (UL Bohemians/Munster), Aoife McDermott (Railway Union/Leinster), Nichola Fryday (Galwegians/Connacht), Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemians/Munster) (capt), Claire Molloy (Wasps), Claire McLaughlin (Old Belvedere/Ulster).
Replacements: Emma Hooban (St. Mary’s/Leinster), Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Laura Feely (Galwegians/Connacht), Edel McMahon (Galwegians/Connacht), Anna Caplice (Richmond), Nicole Cronin (UL Bohemians/Munster), Ellen Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Laura Sheehan (UL Bohemians/Munster).
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant Referees: Nikki O’Donnell (England), Andrew Moule (Wales)
Television Match Official: Neil Paterson (Scotland)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Wales Women to win: 11/5; Draw: 19/1; Ireland Women to win: 4/11
Pre-Match Quotes – Adam Griggs (Ireland Women):
This is the last Test match of the international season for our players and we are determined to finish on a high. Everyone is disappointed with the result against France. We want to make sure we take control of our performance this weekend and finish on a positive note moving forward.
“While we feel our results don’t reflect the team’s progress and performances over the past few weeks, we have been honest with ourselves and know we have to get better at playing at this level.
“The ladies have committed 100% to the last six months and have made a lot of positive strides forward. We now need to combine some of those exciting moments we’ve had with our continuous work-ons to get that complete performance.”
Rowland Phillips (Wales Women):
We want to capitalise on the confidence we’ve gained from the win over Scotland. We’ve shown a huge amount of character throughout this tournament – to hold Italy out at the end of that game (a 3-3 draw) and to come back from behind to win (17-15) in Scotland showed remarkable attitude and skill for such a young side.
“Despite that, I don’t feel we have shown how good a side we are and we’d like to do that on Sunday. Ireland are in a similar place as us. They played well against France last weekend. They have a strong back row and players who can make a difference.
“We certainly won’t be underestimating them. However, we want to focus on ourselves, show what we can do with the ball and produce a better all-round performance. We’ve got a big match in us and hopefully we can showcase that on Sunday.”
Pre-Match Links –
Peat Primed For Strong Finish To Injury-Disrupted Six Nations
Griggs: We Know Wales Well And Hopefully We Can Exploit Them
Djougang ‘Loving Every Second’ Of Her Ireland Rise
In Pics: Ireland Women Train At Cardiff Arms Park Ahead Of Wales Game
Recent Meetings –
2016: Women’s Six Nations: Ireland Women 21 Wales Women 3, Donnybrook
2017: Women’s Six Nations: Wales Women 7 Ireland Women 12, Cardiff Arms Park; Women’s Rugby World Cup – 7th-8th Place Play-Off: Ireland Women 17 Wales Women 27, Kingspan Stadium
2018: Women’s Six Nations: Ireland Women 35 Wales Women 12, Donnybrook
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