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WXV: Trio drafted in for Ireland’s meeting with Women’s Eagles
By Martyn Thomas
Ireland head coach Scott Bemand has made three changes to his starting line-up for their final WXV 1 assignment, against USA in Vancouver on Friday.
The only change in the pack comes in the front-row, where hooker Neve Jones returns in place of Clíodhna Moloney, who drops to the bench.
In the backs Nicole Fowley is selected at fly-half and Aoife Dalton comes into the midfield to partner captain Enya Breen.
Dannah O’Brien and Eve Higgins will both start the match on the replacements’ bench.
Full-back Stacey Flood is one of five players selected to start Friday’s match at BC Place who were part of the matchday squad the last time the teams met, in Dublin three years ago.
Flood kicked five points that evening to help Ireland to a 20-10 victory against the Women’s Eagles at the RDS.
Ireland opened their maiden WXV 1 campaign with a memorable 29-27 victory against New Zealand a fortnight ago but were beaten 21-8 by Canada last time out.
Ireland team to play USA
15. Stacey Flood
14. Eimear Considine
13. Aoife Dalton
12. Enya Breen (captain)
11. Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe
10. Nicole Fowley
9. Emily Lane
1. Niamh O’Dowd
2. Neve Jones
3. Linda Djougang
4. Dorothy Wall
5. Fiona Tuite
6. Erin King
7. Aoife Wafer
8. Brittany Hogan
Replacements:
16. Clíodhna Moloney
17. Siobhán McCarthy
18. Andrea Stock
19. Ruth Campbell
20. Deirbhile Nic a Bháird
21. Molly Scuffil-McCabe
22. Dannah O’Brien
23. Eve Higgins
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Latest Comments
Hopefully 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.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
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