Ireland Women’s Team Named

Head Coach Philip Doyle has named the Ireland Women’s team to play Italy in the RBS 6 Nations Championship with no changes to the starting XV and replacements that were narrowly defeated 8-7 by France a fortnight ago.

Munster players Niamh Kavanagh, Niamh Briggs, Gillian Bourke, Laura Guest and Joy Neville will all start on Friday night with Siobhan Fleming and Heather O’Brien named on the bench.

Speaking ahead of this weekend's game, Doyle said “Following a very good performance against France in Pau last time out, all girls played extremely well and we did not see the need to make changes.”

“Italy are a formidable opposition, we are under no illusions about the strength of this side. We have trained well and look forward to playing back in front of a home side”

The Ireland v Wales match, which was called off at half-time due to deterioration of weather conditions, has been rescheduled to take place on Saturday 3rd March with a 2.30pm kick-off.

Ireland Women’s Team (v Italy Women, RBS 6 Nations, Ashbourne RFC, Co. Meath – February 24th, 19:30 GMT)

15. Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins – Ulster)
14. Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians – Munster)
13. Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians – Munster)
12. Grace Davitt (Cooke – Ulster)
11. Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Highfield – Connacht)
10. Lynne Cantwell (Exile)
9. Amy Davis (Blackrock – Leinster)
1. Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians – Leinster) Captain
2. Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians – Munster)
3. Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere – Leinster)
4. Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere – Leinster)
5. Sophie Spence (Exile)
6. Laura Guest (Highfield – Munster)
7. Claire Molloy (Bristol – Exile)
8. Joy Neville (UL Bohemians – Munster)

Replacements:

16. Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary's – Leinster)
17. Ruth O'Reilly (Galwegians – Connacht)
18. Siobhan Fleming (Tralee – Munster)
19. Heather O'Brien (Highfield – Munster)
20. Larissa Muldoon (Exile/UWIC – Ulster)
21. Nikki Caughey (Belfast Harlequins – Ulster)
22. Jennifer Murphy (Exile)

Ireland Women RBS 6 Nations Fixtures 2012 (All Kick-off Times GMT):

Fri 24th Feb 19:30 Ireland v Italy – Ashbourne, Co Meath
Sat 3rd Mar 14:30 Ireland v Wales – Ashbourne, Co. Meath
Fri 9th Mar 19:30 Ireland v Scotland – Ashbourne, Co Meath
Sat 17th Mar 14:00 England v Ireland – Esher RFC, SW London