Ireland women’s rugby coach Tom Tierney has announced his squad for next month’s autumn international against England at Harlequin’s Twickenham Stoop.
The fixture on November 14th will be Ireland’s first ever autumn international.
Tierney has named 10 uncapped players in his squad - Elaine Anthony, Nikki Caughey, Ciara Cooney, Mairead Coyne, Jeamie Deacon, Aine Donnelly, Zoe Grattage, Claire McLaughlin, Cliodhna Moloney and Fiona Reidy - as Ireland build towards defending their Six Nations title next year.
Ahead of the fixture Tierney said: “We are looking forward to the game in November. It’s the first time we have played an Autumn International which is another step in the development in women’s rugby.
“We have an opportunity to have a look at some new players and combinations building towards the Six Nations.”
Ireland squad: Elaine Anthony (Highfield/ Munster), Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemian/ Munster), Nikki Caughey (Belfast Harlequins/ Ulster), Ciara Cooney (Railway Union/ Leinster), Mairead Coyne (Galwegians/ Connacht), Jeamie Deacon (Blackrock/ Leinster), Aine Donnelly (Cill Dara/Leinster), Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/ Leinster), Paula Fitzpatrick (Stade Toulousain), Orla Fitzsimons (St Marys/ Leinster), Zoe Grattage (Tralee/ Munster), Mary Healy (Galwegians/ Connacht), Claire McLaughlin (Queens University/ Ulster), Claire Molloy (Bristol/ Connacht), Cliodhna Moloney (Railway Union/ Leinster), Larissa Muldoon (Skewen), Sene Naoupu (Galwegians/ Sevens), Heather O'Brien (Stade Toulousain), Fiona O'Brien (Old Belvedere/ Leinster), Ruth O'Reilly (Galwegians/ Connacht), Fiona Reidy (UL Bohemian/ Munster), Jackie Shiels (Richmond/Exiles), Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)
