Ireland will be captained by Claire Molloy. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Updated at 15.00
IRELAND HEAD COACH Tom Tierney has unveiled his side for tomorrow evening’s 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup opener on home soil.
Australia will be the opponents for Ireland at the UCD Bowl [KO 19.00, eir Sport] in their first of three games in Pool C, which also includes Japan and France.
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In the absence of the injured Niamh Briggs, Bristol flanker Claire Molloy will captain Ireland against the Wallaroos.
“The squad are very excited to get the tournament underway,” said Ireland head coach Tom Tierney. “They have had excellent preparation and things have really come together since arriving into UCD on Saturday afternoon and everyone has been extremely focused on their role and the challenge ahead.
“The Australians are a good team and we will have to be very good for the opening game. The players are all very clear on the challenges that the Wallaroos pose.
“However, this is a home World Cup and we’re confident that the crowd will get behind us tomorrow evening which will be an added benefit for us and we’re all looking forward to getting the tournament underway.”
Ireland team named for World Cup opener against Australia
Updated at 15.00
IRELAND HEAD COACH Tom Tierney has unveiled his side for tomorrow evening’s 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup opener on home soil.
Australia will be the opponents for Ireland at the UCD Bowl [KO 19.00, eir Sport] in their first of three games in Pool C, which also includes Japan and France.
In the absence of the injured Niamh Briggs, Bristol flanker Claire Molloy will captain Ireland against the Wallaroos.
Ireland:
15. Hannah Tyrrell (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
14. Eimear Considine (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)
13. Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
12. Sene Naoupu (Harlequins FC)
11. Alison Miller (Old Belvedere RFC/Connacht)
10. Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
9. Larissa Muldoon (Railway Union RFC/Ulster)
1. Lindsay Peat (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)
2. Cliodhna Moloney (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)
3. Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
4. Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary’s College RFC/Leinster)
5. Marie-Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
6. Ashleigh Baxter (Cooke RFC/Ulster)
7. Claire Molloy (Bristol RFC/Connacht) Captain
8. Heather O’Brien (Highfield RFC/Munster)
Replacements:
16. Leah Lyons (Highfield RFC/Munster)
17. Ruth O’Reilly (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
18. Ciara O’Connor (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
19. Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
20. Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)
21. Nicole Cronin (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)
22. Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
23. Mairead Coyne (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
“The squad are very excited to get the tournament underway,” said Ireland head coach Tom Tierney. “They have had excellent preparation and things have really come together since arriving into UCD on Saturday afternoon and everyone has been extremely focused on their role and the challenge ahead.
“The Australians are a good team and we will have to be very good for the opening game. The players are all very clear on the challenges that the Wallaroos pose.
“However, this is a home World Cup and we’re confident that the crowd will get behind us tomorrow evening which will be an added benefit for us and we’re all looking forward to getting the tournament underway.”
‘They’ll just be dying to get onto the pitch and do the nation proud’
Quiz: How well do you remember the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup?
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