Ireland have named a 38-strong squad for the TikTok Women’s Six Nations with head coach Greg McWilliams calling up nine uncapped players.
The preparations for the Championship will kick off with a national camp at the IRFU High Performance Centre this weekend, with McWilliams looking to get his side ready for their opener against Wales on March 26.
Forwards Christy Haney, Amanda McQuade, Anna McGann, Aoife Wafer and Emma Murphy will all get the opportunity to show what they can do, joined by backs Aoibheann Reilly, Natasja Behan, Molly Scuffil-McCabe and Vicky Irwin.
McWilliams is keen to strengthen the links with the club game following the Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Finals Day last weekend.
He said: “I am really pleased with the balance of the squad, there is great youth and experience and I have been impressed by the form of these players in recent weeks.
“We have selected players that have the ability to go for long periods of high intensity ball in play and have a positive impact on the game. Like every selection, there is some talent missing out, and I will be keeping an eye on these and other players as we look to increase competition within the wider playing pool.
“There is great talent within the group and this is a great opportunity for us to develop its foundations and learn about what’s needed to compete at the highest level going forward.
“For now, we are just excited to start, to put the head down and work hard. We are relishing the prospect of running out in front of our home supporters at The RDS for the first game of the Championship.”
As well as the new caps, the squad features plenty of familiar faces, with dynamic forward Dorothy Wall and electric winger Beibhinn Parsons two of the standouts from the 2021 Championship when Ireland finished third.
McWilliams has not yet named a captain, with previous skipper Ciara Griffin having called time on her international career at the end of last year.
Ireland Women’s Squad:
Forwards (20):
Amanda McQuade (Railway Union RFC/Ulster)* Chloe Pearse (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(2) Linda Djougang (ASM Romagnat Rugby/Leinster)(17) Christy Haney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)* Claire Boles (Railway Union RFC/Ulster)(3) Emma Hooban (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)(8) Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury/Ulster)(6) Nichola Fryday (Exeter Chiefs/Connacht)(22) Sam Monaghan (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(5) Aoife McDermott (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)(18) Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC/Ulster)* Grace Moore (Railway Union RFC/IQ Rugby)(1) Dorothy Wall (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)(10) Aoife Wafer (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)* Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)(7) Emma Murphy (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)* Edel McMahon (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(14) Maeve Óg O’Leary (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)(1) Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)(7)
Backs (18):
Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)* Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)(18) Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)(13) Nicole Cronin (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(16) Nikki Caughey (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)(13) Enya Breen (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(9) Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)(7) Michelle Claffey (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)(12) Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)(6) Lucy Mulhall (Wicklow RFC/Leinster)(1) Beibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)(15) Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Railway Union RFC/Munster)(6) Aoife Doyle (Railway Union RFC/Munster)(7) Natasja Behan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)* Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)(18) Eimear Considine (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(23) Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)* Vicky Irwin (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)*
