Ireland Women Prepare To Defend 6 Nations Title

Four Munster players have been selected on the Irish Women’s Squad to take part in an open training session in Belfast’s Kingspan Stadium.

The squad of 33 sees a number of new faces including Highfield’s Elaine Anthony, Zoe Grattage from Tralee and UL Bohs’ Edel Murphy who are all uncapped at international level.

Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemian) who captained Ireland to their second 6 Nations title last March has also been named as the side bid to defend their crown next March.

All four named Munster women were part of the winning squad that this year claimed Munster’s 11^th Interprovincial title, led by Briggs who captained the side.

Speaking ahead of the weekend, Ireland women's coach Tom Tierney said "It's a very exciting time for Women's rugby in Ireland. We are coming in to the new season on the back of a 6 Nations win and with that comes great expectation. We have a number of new faces in the squad which is a testament to the popularity of women's rugby throughout the country.”

"We are really looking forward to the open training session in Belfast and to get a run out in front of supporters at Kingspan Stadium.”

Both Dublin and Belfast will host the Women's Rugby World Cup in 2017, the final stages of the tournament will take place Kingspan Stadium.

Ireland Women's XV Squad (Ireland Open Training Session – Kingspan Stadium, Belfast. Saturday 10th October, 14.30)

Elaine Anthony (Highfield/ Munster)*
Gillian Bourke (Wasps/ Exiles)
Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemian/ Munster)
Hannah Casey (Saracens/ Exiles)
Nikki Caughey (Belfast Harlequins/ Ulster)*
Ciara Cooney (Railway Union/ Leinster)*
Mairead Coyne (Galwegians/ Connacht)*
Kerrie Ann Craddock (Saracens/ Exiles)
Jeamie Deacon (Blackrock/ Leinster)*
Aine Donnelly (Cill Dara/ Leinster)*
Grainne Egan (St Marys/ Connacht)*
Ailis Egan (Old Belvidere/ Leinster)
Paula Fitzpatrick (Stade Toulousain)
Orla Fitzsimons (St Marys/ Leinster)
Zoe Grattage (Tralee/ Munster)*
Mary Healy (Galwegian/ Connacht)
Mairead Hopkins (Castlebar/ Ballina/ Connacht)*
Sharon Lynch (Old Belvidere/ Leinster)
Claire McLaughlin (Queens/ Ulster)*
Cliodhna Moloney (Railway Union/ Leinster)*
Larissa Muldoon (Skewen RFC/ Exiles)
Edel Murphy (UL Bohemian/Munster)*
Sene Naoupu (Galwegians/ Sevens)
Katie Norris (Blackrock/ Leinster)
Heather O'Brien (Stade Toulousain)
Fiona O'Brien (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)
Elise O'Byrne White (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)*
Ruth O'Reilly (Galwegians/ Connacht)
Ciara O'Connor (Galwegians/ Connacht)*
Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)
Jackie Shiels (Richmond/Exiles)
Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)
Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)

*Denotes uncapped player at this level.

Tickets for this event are available now and are complimentary to all supporters. You can print yours now from ticketmaster.ie. Tickets are also available via telephone (028 9049 3222 Option 2) or from the Ticket Office at Kingspan Stadium.

NATIONAL WOMEN'S 15s SQUAD SESSION, SATURDAY 10th OCTOBER 2015, KINGSPAN STADIUM, BELFAST

13.30 Gates open
13.30-14.30 Trophy photo opportunity
14.30-16.00 Open training session
16.00-16.45 Fan meet and greet