The Ireland Women’s Rugby team take on England at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday evening. Kick-off is at 5.40pm and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Mix, Main Event and Action.
There are six changes to the squad following last week’s bruising 19-10 defeat to the USA at Energia Park. A spirited performance from the Irish team wasn’t quite enough to was not enough to stop the USA Eagles outscoring the hosts three tries to two.
21-year old Emma Hooban, who won her first international cap off the bench last weekend, starts for the first time at hooker.
Hooban is joined by Leah Lyons and Lindsay Peat in the front row. Lyons plays her club rugby for Harlequins while Peat is set to earn her 24th cap since against the side she made her debut against back in November 2015.
Nichola Fryday replaces Ciara Cooney after she dislocated her shoulder during the match last week. There will also be a senior international debut for Juliet Short of Railway Union Jas she comes into the starting XV at number 8.
The back-line see’s one change as UL Bohemians and Munster’s Nicole Cronin gets a starting place at scrum-half alongside Nikki Caughey at out-half.
Sene Naoupu will assume the captaince role in the absence of Ciara Griffin who is ruled out with a shoulder complaint. Naoupu who will win her 28th cap, has made the transition to captaincy duties with Leinster this season, leading them to the IRFU Women’s Interprovincial title.
Ireland’s back-three remain unchanged, as the exciting trio of Laura Sheehan, Eimear Considine and Lauren Delany continue to form a new understanding. The trio showed glimpses of quality with both wingers crossing the white-line for Ireland last week.
Looking forward to the clash at Twickenham, head coach Adam Griggs said:
“Although we finished strongly on Sunday against the USA, overall we were disappointed with aspects of the game and the end result. We have reviewed the footage and are aware of the areas we need to improve as we have a big test this Saturday.”