Irish Head Coach Scott Bemand has named his side for this Saturday’s opening Guinness Women’s Six Nations clash against France.
There have been 30 clashes between France and Ireland, with Ireland winning only 3 and drawing once since their first meeting in 1994.
This weekend will see Edel McMahon captain the side from the back row. Aoife Wafer and Brittany Hogan also start beside McMahon.
Dorothy Wall and Hannah O’Connor provide cover in the engine room. The forward line is completed by a trio of Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, and Christy Haney.
In the backline, Katie Corrigan won her first cap on the wing. She is joined in the back three by duo Lauren Delany at fullback and Beibhinn Parsons on the other wing.
The Ireland team for Saturday's Guinness @Womens6Nations opener against France.#FRAvIRE #IrishRugby
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) March 21, 2024
Aoife Dalton and Eve Higgins start in the centre. Finally, Nicole Fowley starts at the outhalf, while Aoibheann Reilly starts at the scrumhalf.
Sarah Delaney, Niamh O’Dowd, Sadhbh McGrath, Fiona Tuite, and Grace Moore give Bemand strong options from the bench.
Commenting on the selection, Ireland Head Coach Bemand said: “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, and what a place to kick-start our Six Nations, in Stade Marie-Marvingt.”
The game at Stade Marie-Marvingt kicks off at 2:15 p.m. Irish time and is live on RTÉ.
Ireland team to France
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. Béibhinn 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. Méabh Deely (Blackrock College/Connacht)
