Ireland make one change for clash with New Zealand

Paula Fitzpatrick takes over from Siobhan Fleming at blindside flanker

Leinster’s Paula Fitzpatrick comes in at blindside flanker in place of Munster’s Siobhan Fleming for the Women’s World Cup clash with New Zealand in Paris on Tuesday. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho
Leinster’s Paula Fitzpatrick comes in at blindside flanker in place of Munster’s Siobhan Fleming for the Women’s World Cup clash with New Zealand in Paris on Tuesday. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

Ireland women’s coach Philip Doyle has made just one change to the side that started their World Cup with a 23-17 victory over the USA for Tuesday’s Pool B clash against New Zealand.

Leinster’s Paula Fitzpatrick comes in at blindside flanker in place of Munster’s Siobhan Fleming, who moves to the bench.

Scrumhalf Tania Rosser will make her 50th appearance for Ireland in the game, which will be televised live on TG4 and Sky Sports.

IRELAND (v New Zealand, Women's World Cup, Marcoussis, Paris, Tuesday, 5.0pm Irish time): Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster); Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Lynne Cantwell (Richmond RFC/Exile), Grace Davitt (Cooke/Ulster), Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Connacht); Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Tania Rosser (Blackrock/Leinster); Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster), Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster), Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster); Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster); Paula Fitzpatrick (St Mary's College/Leinster), Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht), Heather O'Brien (Highfield RFC/Munster).

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Replacements: Sharon Lynch (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemians/Munster), Laura Guest (Highfield/Munster), Siobhan Fleming (Tralee/Munster), Larissa Muldoon (Bristol/Exile), Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Vicky McGinn (Blackrock/Leinster).