Women's Six Nations: Ireland coach Tom Tierney includes six uncapped players against Italy
Wednesday 4 February 2015 13:30, UK
Ireland Women coach Tom Tierney has named six uncapped players in his squad for Friday's Six Nations opener against Italy in Florence.
Leinster's Hannah Tyrrell will make her debut on the wing while Sarah Mimnagh, Fiona O'Brien, Katie Norris, Katie Fitzhenry and Sene Naoupu have been named on the bench.
Up front, Gillian Bourke is named at hooker and will be joined by Ruth O'Reilly and Ailis Egan in the front row. A familiar looking second row sees Marie Louise Reilly and Sophie Spence take up their positions which Paula Fitzpatrick, Claire Molloy and Heather O'Brien complete the pack.
Larissa Muldoon is named at scrum-half and will be partnered at 10 by Nora Stapleton. Jackie Sheils and Jenny Murphy make up the centre partnership, with Alison Miller joining Tyrrell on the wing. The side will be captained by full-back Niamh Briggs.
Tierney said "There is a natural changeover with the number of players retiring after last season, but there is a core group of senior players that are very experienced and talented.
"We also have a number of younger players who are very talented and have a lot of promise so it's a good mix.
"It's going to be a very tough game over in Italy, we are under no illusions, but we are going over there very confident that we will be competitive”
Team: Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemian/Munster, capt), Hannah Tyrrell (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Jackie Shiels (Richmond/Exiles), Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Connacht), Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Larissa Muldoon (Skewen RFC), Ruth O'Reilly (Galwegians/Connacht), Gillian Bourke (Olympico de Pozuelo RFC), Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Paula Fitzpatrick (St Marys/Leinster), Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht), Heather O'Brien (Highfield/ Munster).
Replacements: Sarah Mimnagh (Wasps/Exiles), Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemian/Munster), Fiona O'Brien (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Orla Fitzsimons (St Marys/Leinster), Katie Norris (Blackrock/Leinster), Tania Rosser (Blackrock/Leinster), Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock/Leinster), Sene Naoupu (Galwegians/Connacht)
