O'Brien will now partner Leinster' s Marie- Louise Reilly in the second row as her club colleague Laura Guest makes the positional move to backrow.

Ireland Coach Philip Doyle said “We came very close to a win against France, but in the end they held out. We can take a lot of positives from that performance with us to Scotland.”

"The mood in the camp is upbeat and there is a sense of desire to deliver a performance in what will be another tough encounter against Scotland."

Ireland Women:

15. Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster)
14. Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians/Munster)
13. Lynne Cantwell (Richmond/Exile)
12. Geraldine Rea (Highfield/Munster)
11. Mairead Kelly (UL Bohemians/Munster)
10. Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
9. Amy Davis (Blackrock/Leinster)
1. Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster) Captain
2. Gillian Bourke (Bristol/Munster)
3. Emer McManamly (Blackrock/Leinster)
4. Heather O'Brien (Highfield/Munster)
5. Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
6. Laura Guest (Highfield/Munster)
7. Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht)
8. Joy Neville (UL Bohemians/Munster)

Replacements:
16. Stacey Kennedy (City of Derry/Ulster)
17. Lauren Day (Waterloo/Ulster)
18. Deirdre O'Brien (Blackrock/Leinster)
19. Carol Staunton (Galwegians/Connacht)
20. Larissa Muldoon (UWIC/Exile)
21. Gill Nolan (St. Mary's/Leinster)
22. Jackie Shiels (Richmond/Leinster)