Ireland welcome Wales to UCD for crunch tie
Rugby
Daire Walsh
The Ireland women’s rugby team will be seeking a breakthrough victory in a November International when they welcome Wales to the UCD Bowl tomorrow (1pm).
Coach Adam Griggs has named an experienced line-up for this encounter, with Leinster lock Judy Bobbett the only debutant in the starting side. However, the uncapped quartet of Victoria Dabanovich O’Mahony, Katie O’Dwyer, Niamh Ní Dhroma and Hannah O’Connor are among the replacements.
Munster’s Eimear Considine is joined in the back three by Lauren Delany and Galway teenager Beibhinn Parsons, while Skibbereen native Enya Breen links up with Sene Naoupu in midfield. Ellen Murphy and Nicole Cronin are preferred at half-back. Larissa Muldoon returns to an Irish matchday squad for the first time since the 2017 World Cup.
UL Bohemian flanker Ciara Griffin retains the captaincy as part of a back row that also includes Edel McMahon and Anna Caplice.
Cliodhna Moloney makes his first international appearance of 2019 in the front row, where Laura Feely and Linda Djougang also feature.
Nichola Fryday partners Bobbett in the second row, and there is also a spot on the bench for versatile Leinster back Michelle Claffey.
IRELAND: E Considine; L Delany, E Breen, S Naoupu, B Parsons; E Murphy, N Cronin; L Feely, C Moloney, L Djougang; N Fryday, J Bobbett; C Griffin, E McMahon, A Caplice.
Replacements: V Dabanovich O’Mahony, K O’Dwyer, AM O’Hora, N Ní Dhroma, H O’Connor, K Dane, L Muldoon, M Claffey.