NIAMH BRIGGS RETURNS to captain Ireland Women as they look to end their November Tests on a positive note against world number ones New Zealand.

The fit-again Briggs is one of 10 changes to the side beaten by Canada, with head coach Tom Tierney opting to start the same front eight that narrowly lost out to England two weeks ago.

“Last weekend’s Test against Canada was an important learning experience for the side,” Tierney said ahead of Sunday’s game in the UCD Bowl (2pm).

“Canada showed why they are one of the top-ranked teams in the world and our players will learn a lot from taking on opposition of that standard.”

The Black Ferns cemented their status as world number ones with a 20-10 win over Canada in Dublin on Wednesday.

Ireland Women:

15. Niamh Briggs (captain)
14. Mairead Coyne
13. Nicole Fowley
12. Sene Naoupu
11. Claire McLaughlin
10. Nora Stapleton
9. Larissa Muldoon

1. Lindsay Peat
2. Cliodhna Moloney
3. Ailis Egan
4. Maire-Louise Reilly
5. Orla Fitzsimons
6. Ciara Griffin
7. Claire Molloy
8. Paula Fitzpatrick

Replacements:

16. Leah Lyons
17. Fiona Hayes
18. Fiona Reidy
19. Nichola Fryday
20. Ciara Cooney
21. Mary Healy
22. Jackie Shiels
23. Niamh Kavanagh

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