Just one chance from the Irish side that humbled the world champions, England.
Tom Tierney has drafted in Jackie Shiels at inside centre following an ankle injury sustained by Katie Fitzhenry. The Ireland Women’s coach has, understandably, kept faith with the rest of the squad that combined to beat the English in Ashbourne.
Tierney says, ‘It was great to get a win against England a fortnight ago, and has left us in a good position for the final two rounds of the championship, but we are always looking for improvements.
‘We are not underestimating Wales, they are a strong side and we have no doubt they will bring their all with them for the home crowd. If we do the small things right we will be in good shape.’
France lead the Six Nations standings but must travel away, on the final day, to face England while Ireland face a Scottish team that are currently zero from three and with a points difference of minus 101.
IRELAND WOMEN
Niamh Briggs (c); Hannah Tyrrell, Jenny Murphy, Jackie Shiels, 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.
Replacements: Sarah Mimnagh, Fiona Hayes, Fiona O’Brien, Orla Fitzsimons, Katie Norris, Tania Rosser, Sene Naoupu, Aoife Doyle.
Ireland U20s
Ireland Under-20 coach Nigel Carolan has made a raft of changes from the team that lost out to England, in Athlone, on February 27.
Ciaran Gaffney who returns from a hamstring injury, joins Sam Arnold and Billy Dardis in the back line. In the pack, a new look second row sees Cian Romaine promoted from the bench to pair up with Josh Murphy who moves from the back row.
Conor Oliver makes his first appearance of the tournament along with Nick Timoney, who comes in from the replacements, to partner up with Lorcan Dow to complete the pack.
Carolan said, ‘It was disappointing to lose to England in the last round, but we have put that behind us now in preparation for Wales… The championship is still there for the taking and we look forward to getting it back on track this Friday.’
IRELAND U20s
Billy Dardis; Ciaran Gaffney, Garry Ringrose, Sam Arnold, Stephen Fitzgerald; Ross Byrne, Nick McCarthy (c); Jeremy Loughman, Zack McCall, Oisin Heffernan; Cian Romaine, Josh Murphy; Nick Timoney, Conor Oliver, Lorcan Dow.
Replacements: Adam McBurney, Andrew Porter, Conan O’Donnell, David O’Connor, Stephen McVeigh, Conor Young, Joey Carbery, Jacob Stockdale.
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