LINDSAY PEAT WILL make her first international start when Ireland’s Women host Italy in the Six Nations on Sunday.

Peat — who has also represented Ireland in basketball and underage soccer, as well as winning an All-Ireland football title with Dublin — starts at loosehead as one of eight changes in a new-look side.

Full-back Kim Flood and wing Liz Burke are both handed debuts by manager Tom Tierney, while second-row Elaine Anthony makes her Six Nations debut and scrum-half Mary Healy earns a first start in the competition.

Queen’s Claire McLaughlin is the only uncapped name on an experienced bench which features Ruth O’Reilly, Paula Fitzpatrick, Claire Molloy, Larissa Muldoon and Nora Stapleton.

Kick-off in Donnybrook is at 1pm.

Ireland Women (v Italy)

15. Kim Flood
14. Liz Burke
13. Niamh Briggs (capt)
12. Sene Naoupu
11. Alison Miller
10. Nikki Caughey
9. Mary Healy

1. Lindsay Peat
2. Cliodhna Moloney
3. Ailis Egan
4. Elaine Anthony
5. Marie Louise Reilly
6. Ciara Cooney
7. Ciara Griffin
8. Sophie Spence

Replacements:

16. Zoe Grattage
17. Ruth O’Reilly
18. Fiona Reidy
19. Claire Molloy
20. Paula Fitzpatrick
21. Larissa Muldoon
22. Nora Stapleton
23. Claire McLaughlin

The42 Six Nations Show / SoundCloud

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