England women make one change for Grand Slam decider against Ireland
Thursday 16 March 2017 10:38, UK
England Women have made one change to the side for Friday's Six Nations Championship decider game against Ireland at Donnybrook Stadium.
With both sides unbeaten so far this campaign, the two sides are chasing the Championship title in only the second head-to-head Grand Slam finale in the history of the women's tournament.
Bristol winger Amy Wilson Hardy is the only change to the starting 15, with Laura Keates hoping to gain her 60th England cap off the bench in place of Sarah Bern. Lydia Thompson, who scored a hat-trick in England's 63-0 win over Wales, moves to the bench.
"We have put ourselves in a position to realise our Six Nations ambitions of winning the championship but we're under no illusions of how difficult the task will be," said head coach Simon Middleton on Englandrugby.com
"Ireland have had a great competition so far, showing immense resilience to win four tough games. It promises to be a fantastic end to the tournament and we are confident that come Friday we will be as ready as we can to win our first Grand Slam in five years."
Ireland have also made one change from the side that beat Wales 12-7 last time out, with Larissa Muldoon starting at scrum-half.
In the second row, Marie Louise Reilly is set to win her 50th Ireland cap.
Ireland: 15 Kim Flood, 14 Hannah Tyrrell, 13 Jenny Murphy, 12 Sene Naoupu, 11 Alison Miller, 10 Nora Stapleton, 9 Larissa Muldoon, 1 Lindsay Peat, 2 Leah Lyons, 3 Ailis Egan, 4 Sophie Spence, 5 Marie Louise Reilly, 6 Ciara Griffin, 7 Claire Molloy, 8 Paula Fitzpatrick (c)
Replacements: 16 Ciara O'Connor, 17 Ilse van Staden, 18 Ruth O'Reilly, 19 Ciara Cooney, 20 Nichola Fryday, 21 Mary Healy, 22 Nikki Caughey, 23 Mairead Coyne
England: 15 Danielle Waterman, 14 Amy Wilson Hardy, 13 Emily Scarratt, 12 Amber Reed , 11 Kay Wilson, 10 Emily Scott, 9 La Toya Mason, 1 Rochelle Clark, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Justine Lucas, 4 Tamara Taylor, 5 Harriet Millar-Mills, 6 Alex Matthews, 7 Marlie Packer, 8 Sarah Hunter (c).
Replacements: 16 Vicky Fleetwood, 17 Vickii Cornborough, 18 Laura Keates, 19 Poppy Cleall , 20 Izzy Noel-Smith, 21 Bianca Blackburn, 22 Rachael Burford, 23 Lydia Thompson.
Watch Ireland Women v England Women on Friday, Sky Sports Mix, 7.55pm.
