IRELAND HAVE MADE two changes to their starting team ahead of tomorrow’s third place play-off clash with host nation France at the Women’s World Cup in Paris [KO 3.30pm Irish time, TG4].
Jenny Murphy has recovered from a knee problem to be selected at inside centre, making her first start of the tournament after a series of impressive performances off the bench. Lynne Cantwell drops out of the team after suffering concussion against England, with Grace Davitt shifting out one position into the 13 shirt.
In the back row, Siobhan Fleming – who scored a superb long-range try against Kazakhstan – comes in to start, with Heather O’Brien moving to the bench and Paula Fitzpatrick changing jersey six for number eight.
Prop Kerrie Ann Craddock is included for Ireland’s closing World Cup fixture, taking Fiona Hayes’ spot among the replacements.
Ireland team to face France tomorrow [KO 3.30pm Irish time, TG4]:
15. Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster)
14. Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
13. Grace Davitt (Cooke/Ulster)
12. Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
11. Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Connacht)
10. Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
9. Tania Rosser (Blackrock/Leinster)
1. Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster) Capt.
2. Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster)
3. Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
4. Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
5. Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
6. Siobhan Fleming (Tralee/Munster)
7. Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht)
8. Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Marys/Leinster)
Replacements:
16. Sharon Lynch (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
17. Kerrie Ann Craddock (Saracens/Exiles)
18. Heather O’Brien (Highfield RFC/Munster)
19. Laura Guest (Highfield/Munster)
20. Larissa Muldoon (Bristol/Exile)
21. Jackie Shiels (Richmond RFC/Exile)
22. Hannah Casey (Saracens/Exiles)
