It is now or never for Ireland Women’s 2015 Six Nations hopes.
Former Dublin GAA forward Hannah Tyrrell is back in the Ireland team to face England in Friday’s Six Nations encounter in Ashbourne. Tyrrell missed out on the 10-5 defeat to France following a head blow and a graduated return to play procedure.
She has been passed fully fit and joins Alison Miller and captain Niamh Briggs in Ireland’s back three. Tyrrell’s return is the only change in coach Tom Tierney’s starting XV for a game his side need to win to retain any championship hopes.
Jenny Murphy and Katie Fitzhenry make up the centre pairing while Nora Stapleton and Larissa Muldoon are named in the half-backs.
Up front, Ruth O’Reilly, Gillian Bourke and Ailis Egan form the front row with Sophie Spence and Marie Louise Reilly named in the second row. Paula Fitzpatrick, Claire Molloy and Heather O’Brien complete the pack.
IRELAND WOMEN
Niamh Briggs (c); Hannah Tyrrell, Jenny Murphy, Katie Fitzhenry, Alison Miller; Nora Stapleton, Larissa Muldoon; Ruth O’Reilly, Gillian Bourke, Ailis Egan; Sophie Spence, Marie Louise Reilly; Paula Fitzpatrick, Claire Molloy, Heather O’Brien.
Ireland U20s
Nigel Carolan has named an Under-20 team brimming with Leinster and Ulster starlets. Nick McCarthy captains the side for the Friday evening clash at Donnybrook and is joined by seven Leinster teammates.
Carolan says, ‘We are in a good place mid tournament with two wins from two. While the display against France was very pleasing, the English side will bring a huge amount of physicality with them, so we know the challenge we face.’
IRELAND U20
Billy Dardis: Jack Owens, Garry Ringrose, Sam Arnold, Stephen Fitzgerald; Ross Byrne, Nick McCarthy (c); Jeremy Loughman, Zack McCall, Oisin Heffernan; David O’Connor, Alex Thompson; Josh Murphy, Rory Moloney, Lorcan Dow.
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