She pairs up with the experienced Sene Naoupu in midfield, while Eimear Considine returns to the back-three alongside Lauren Delany, who reverts to the right wing, and Beibhinn Parsons.
Old Belvedere club-mates Hannah Tyrrell and Kathryn Dane are retained at half-back having impressed against the Azzurri.
Lindsay Peat, Cliodhna Moloney and Linda Djougang, winning her tenth cap, pack down together in the front row, with the fit-again Aoife McDermott reunited with Nichola Fryday at lock.
It is cap number five for Fethard youngster Dorothy Wall as she links up again with captain Ciara Griffin and star openside Claire Molloy in a dynamic back row unit.
Lane and Flood, who have also come across from the Ireland Sevens programme, will provide the half-back cover. The replacements are completed by fellow back Enya Breen and forwards Neve Jones, Katie O’Dwyer, Laura Feely, Brittany Hogan and Hannah O’Connor.
Commenting on the team selection and today’s opposition, Griggs said: “We are extremely confident in the squad we have selected. We’ve had a great deal of time to prepare together and this group of players have earned the responsibility to bring the high standards we have set ourselves throughout training into this first game.
“Wales at home will bring a strong challenge and we need to make sure we start the game well and build a platform that allows us to play our game and start this competition off with a win.”
Meanwhile, Wales’ new head coach Warren Abrahams has made four changes to the team that lost 53-0 to France in last weekend’s opening round.
Gloucester-Hartpury duo Cara Hope and Cerys Hale come into the front row and Natalia John, who plays for Bristol Bears, starts at lock.
There is one change behind the scrum with Courtney Keight, another of the Bristol contingent, starting on the left wing in place of Jasmine Joyce who is away with the Great Britain Sevens squad.
It will be a milestone occasion for experienced full-back Robyn Wilkins who wins her 50th cap. She made her debut as an 18-year-old back in 2014 and has played in 33 Six Nations games to date.
Women’s Six Nations Fixtures/Results
WALES WOMEN: Robyn Wilkins (Gloucester-Hartpury); Lisa Neumann (Sale Sharks), Hannah Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury), Kerin Lake (Gloucester-Hartpury), Courtney Keight (Bristol Bears); Elinor Snowsill (Bristol Bears), Jess Roberts (Sale Sharks); Cara Hope (Gloucester-Hartpury), Kelsey Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury), Cerys Hale (Gloucester-Hartpury), Natalia John (Bristol Bears), Gwen Crabb (Gloucester-Hartpury), Georgia Evans (Saracens), Manon Johnes (Bristol Bears), Siwan Lillicrap (Bristol Bears) (capt).
Replacements: Molly Kelly (Sale Sharks), Caryl Thomas (Worcester Warriors), Donna Rose (Saracens), Teleri Wyn Davies (Sale Sharks), Bethan Dainton (Harlequins), Megan Davies (Exeter Chiefs), Niamh Terry (Exeter Chiefs), Caitlin Lewis (Cardiff Met).
IRELAND WOMEN: Eimear Considine (UL Bohemians/Munster); Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby), Eve Higgins (Railway Union/Leinster), Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Beibhinn Parsons (Ballinasloe/Blackrock/Connacht); Hannah Tyrrell (Old Belvedere/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/Connacht), Dorothy Wall (Blackrock/Munster), Claire Molloy (Wasps/IQ Rugby), Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemians/Munster) (capt).
Replacements: Neve Jones (Malone/Ulster), Katie O’Dwyer (Railway Union/Leinster), Laura Feely (Blackrock/Connacht), Brittany Hogan (DCU/Old Belvedere/Ulster), Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock/Leinster), Emily Lane (Blackrock/Munster), Stacey Flood (Railway Union/Leinster), Enya Breen (UL Bohemians/Munster).
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant Referees: Sara Cox (England), Maria Pacifico (Italy)
TMO: Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Pre-Match Quotes – Adam Griggs (Ireland Women):
We definitely want to start off with a win, there’s no doubt about it. As I said, there will be times where there will be mistakes and Wales will get their pressure points in the game.
“Where they’ll put us under pressure and have that purple patch. We certainly are targeting a win. We’ve been successful against Wales before and no doubt going over there against a wounded team and them playing at home, I’m sure they’ll be targeting us.
“I do believe that we’ve got the talent in the squad to go over there and do a job. Some of our back-three players are so dangerous and we’ve got to try and get the ball in their hands.
“I guess the other thing we’re talking about is play on your instincts. I think we’ve been guilty of overthinking things at times.
“I know people talk about heads up rugby. We can definitely give a framework, but then it’s let your instincts take over and back yourself to play. I think that’s something we’ve really driven, in terms of messaging over the last couple of months as well.”
Warren Abrahams (Wales Women):
We are all proud and privileged to represent the Wales jersey. Last weekend’s loss (to France) hurts us all, but that pain is important if we want to improve and be competitive against the best sides in the world.
“It was a great benchmark and it is up to every member of the Wales Women programme now to take responsibility. Those who take it will stay on the bus and we’ll keep driving towards that vision.
“We’re going to focus on what we can control, keep believing in process and the people around us. We believe we have the best team to represent the squad this weekend.
“It’s a chance for some players to start the game and we have youngsters Niamh (Terry) and Caitlin (Lewis) on the bench too. We are enthused by the performance of the new caps last weekend.”
Pre-Match Links –
Griggs: There’s A Noticeable Edge, We’re Excited To Get Going
In Pics: Ireland Finalise Preparations For Women’s Six Nations Opener
Ireland Women’s Rugby Podcast To Run During Six Nations
‘The Robustness and Resilience Should Stand To Us’ – Dane
McDermott: We’ve Come A Huge Way In The Last Twelve Months
Recent Meetings –
2018: Women’s Six Nations: Ireland Women 35 Wales Women 12, Donnybrook
2019: Women’s Six Nations: Wales Women 24 Ireland Women 5, Cardiff Arms Park; November Test: Ireland Women 13 Wales Women 15, UCD Bowl
2020: Women’s Six Nations: Ireland Women 31 Wales Women 12, Energia Park
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