Ireland ladies’ head coach, Scott Bemand, has made two amendments in his squad bespoken the dominant 36-10 triumph over Australia in Belfast. These alterations are for their first WXV1 face-off with New Zealand on Sunday at BC Place Vancouver (7pm local time, or 3am Irish time on Monday).
Stacey Flood has been appointed to commence the game as fullback as Eimear Considine switches to being the right winger, whilst Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe stays put as the left winger.
The team has experienced another revision in the pack, as Fiona Tuite replaces Ruth Campbell to team up with Dorothy Wall in the second row. Meanwhile, the unused prop, Andrea Stock, has secured a place amongst the replacements.
Edel McMahon will lead the team from the backrow. Bemand has maintained the consistency from the impressive win over Australia, scored through six tries.
On the eve of their starting game, Bemand expressed, “We’ve benefited from a highly productive training week in Vancouver, which included an advantageous knockabout versus France on Wednesday.” He went on to add, “Facing off three of the most formidable teams globally, starting with New Zealand on Sunday, presents a challenge both physically and regarding ball movements. Our training and the rigorous session against France have allowed us to acclimatise to that.”
In terms of team selection, Bemand indicated, “Competition for slots in recent weeks led to some tough discussions. We’re however satisfied with the team’s overall performance and believe we have the right mix in our matchday squad for the campaign’s kicking off game.”
For the match against New Zealand, Ireland fields an impressive line-up. The team features Stacey Flood from Railway Union and Eimear Considine from UL Bohemian/Munster. The lineup also includes Aoife Dalton of Old Belvedere/Leinster, Enya Breen of Blackrock College /Munster, and Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe from Railway Union/Munster. Old Belvedere/Leinster’s Dannah O’Brien and Leinster’s Molly Scuffil-McCabe are also on the team.
Niamh O’Dowd (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Neve Jones of Gloucester-Hartpury, and Linda Djougang from Old Belvedere/Leinster are also playing. Other players include Dorothy Wall from Exeter Chiefs/Munster, Fiona Tuite of Old Belvedere/Ulster, Aoife Wafer from Blackrock College/Leinster, team captain Edel McMahon from Exeter Chiefs/Connacht, and Brittany Hogan of Old Belvedere/Ulster.
The substitute players include Clíodhna Moloney from Exeter Chiefs, Siobhán McCarthy from Worcester Warriors/Munster, Andrea Stock from Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby, and Grace Moore also from Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby. Other subs are Erin King from Old Belvedere, Emily Lane from Blackrock College, Eve Higgins of Railway Union, and Vicky Elmes Kinlan from Wicklow.