Head coach Scott Bemand has announced his Ireland squad for their final Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Canada at Affidea Stadium (formerly Kingspan Stadium) on Saturday, August 9th (kick-off, 12pm).
Bemand has made 10 changes to the starting XV following their victory over Scotland last weekend. Neve Jones will co-captain the team alongside Sam Monaghan, who begins this week’s game on the bench.
In the forwards, Niamh O’Dowd and Linda Djougang will pack down either side of Jones in the front row. Fiona Tuite and Ruth Campbell form the second row partnership, while the back row of Grace Moore, Ivana Kiripati, and Brittany Hogan remains unchanged from last week.
The backline sees Aoibheann Reilly continue her half-back partnership with Dannah O’Brien. Enya Breen partners Aoife Dalton in midfield, with Anna McGann, Béibhinn Parsons, and Stacey Flood completing the back three.
Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Ellena Perry, Sadhbh McGrath, Eimear Corri-Fallon, Monaghan, and Claire Boles are the forward replacements, while Emily Lane and Eve Higgins provide backline cover from the bench, completing Ireland’s matchday 23.
Former England prop Perry is poised to make her Ireland debut, having been named among the replacements.
Perry, who plays for Gloucester-Hartpury, has 11 England caps, with her most recent appearance for the Red Roses coming in 2020.
Bemand commented: “Having another opportunity to test ourselves is vital as we prepare for the Rugby World Cup, and we are aware that Canada will provide a stern challenge.
“Last week, we showed resilience in recovering from conceding early tries, and we understand the need to start stronger this week. With the Rugby World Cup squad announcement scheduled for early next week, there’s a great deal at stake.”
S Flood (Railway Union RFC / Leinster); B Parsons (Blackrock College / Connacht), A Dalton (Old Belvedere / Leinster), E Breen (Blackrock College / Munster), A McGann (Railway Union / Connacht); D O’Brien (Old Belvedere / Leinster), A Reilly (Blackrock College / Connacht); N O’Dowd (Old Belvedere / Leinster), N Jones (Gloucester Hartpury), L Djougang (Old Belvedere / Leinster); R Campbell (Old Belvedere / Leinster), F Tuite (Old Belvedere / Ulster); G Moore (Trailfinders / IQ Rugby), I Kiripati (Creggs / Connacht), B Hogan (Old Belvedere / Ulster).
C Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs), E Perry (Gloucester Hartpury / IQ Rugby), S McGrath (Cooke / Ulster), E Corri Fallon (Blackrock College / Leinster), S Monaghan (Gloucester Hartpury / IQ Rugby), C Boles (Railway Union / Ulster), E Lane (Blackrock College / Ulster), E Higgins (Railway Union / Leinster).
