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Six changes for WXV3 champions Ireland, including one new cap
By Liam Heagney
Ireland have named a team showing six changes – including new cap Katie Corrigan – for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations opener away to France in Le Mans.
The Irish clinched WXV3 title success in Dubai in their last outing, coming from behind to defeat Spain 15-13 on October 28 and round off that tournament with a three-game winning streak.
Their return to action 17 weeks later will see them take the field against the French with four changes to their backs and two to their pack.
Lauren Delany is at full-back in place of the benched Meabh Deely while the 19-year-old Corrigan will debut on the right wing instead of Natasja Behan.
The Irish have also changed their half-backs with Nicole Fowley and Aoibheann Reilly taking over from Dannah O'Brien and Molly Scuffil-McCabe, who are included as replacements.
In the pack, co-captain Sam Monaghan misses out as she is continuing her return-to-play protocols. Her place at lock has gone to Hannah O’Connor, while the other pack change is at back row where Aoife Weafer is in for the benched Grace Moore.
Head coach Scott Bemand told the IRFU website: “We are all very excited to get our Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign underway and we come into this weekend ready to put a confident performance out there.
“We have had a good block of preparation with players returning and we are ready to compete. I’m looking forward to seeing all the hard work come together on Saturday in Stade Marie-Marvingt.”
Ireland (vs France, Saturday)
15. Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)
14. Katie Corrigan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
13. Eve Higgins (Railway Union/Leinster)
12. Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
11. Beibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College/Connacht)
10. Nicole Fowley (Galwegians/Connacht)
9. Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College/Connacht)
1. Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
2. Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury)
3. Christy Haney Blackrock College/Leinster)
4. Dorothy Wall (Blackrock College/Munster)
5. Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College/Leinster)
6. Aoife Wafer (Blackrock College/Leinster)
7. Edel McMahon (Exeter Chiefs) Captain
8. Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere /Ulster)
Replacements:
16. Sarah Delaney (Blackrock College/Leinster)
17. Niamh O’Dowd (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
18. Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke/Ulster)
19. Fiona Tuite (Old Belvedere/Ulster)
20. Grace Moore (Saracens/IQ Rugby)
21. Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Leinster)
22. Dannah O’Brien (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
23. Meabh Deely (Blackrock College/Connacht)
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Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
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