Head coach Greg McWilliams has made five changes to the Ireland team play France on Saturday to the one which performed so disappointingly against Wales last weekend in their opening game of the Six Nations.
There are two changes in the backline with Vicky Irwin coming in for the injured Enya Breen at inside centre, while Dannah O'Brien is promoted from the bench and will start at out-half in place of Nicole Cronin who takes a spot among the replacements.
Sadhbh McGrath drops to the bench with Linda Djougang moving to loosehead and Christy Haney coming in at tighthead. There are two changes in the backrow with Grace Moore starting at openside in place of Maeve Óg O’Leary and Deirbhile Nic a Bháird at number eight instead of the benched Brittany Hogan.
25 March 2023; Deirbhile Nic A Bhaird of Ireland in action against Wales during the TikTok Women's Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Wales and Ireland at Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by Mark Lewis/Sportsfile
Clara Nielson and Kathryn Buggy come into the match day squad and are in line to make their Ireland debuts off the bench.
"Last week was a disappointing start to the campaign for us but we turned the page quickly and were honest with ourselves," said McWilliams.
"We know this journey is going to take time and require patience, and we are working hard as a group to learn those lessons and make positive progress every time we step on the field.
"Saturday is another opportunity for us to do that and returning to Musgrave Park is an exciting prospect for us all. The support of our home crowd, family and friends is so important to us, and with the backing of the Irish people, we can make strides in the right direction."
25 March 2023; Dannah O'Brien of Ireland is tackled by Kerin Lake of Wales during the TikTok Women's Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Wales and Ireland at Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by Mark Lewis/Sportsfile
2023 Women's Six Nations Ireland team to play France
15. Méabh Deely (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht) (3)
14. Aoife Doyle (Railway Union RFC/Munster) (13)
13. Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) (3)
12. Vicky Irwin (Sale Sharks/Ulster) (2)
11. Natasja Behan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster) (3)
10. Dannah O’Brien (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) (3)
9. Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Railway Union RFC/Leinster) (5)
1. Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) (25)
2. Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury/Ulster) (14)
3. Christy Haney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster) (6)
4. Nichola Fryday (Exeter Chiefs/Connacht) (30) (Captain)
5. Sam Monaghan (Gloucester-Hartpury/IQ Rugby) (11)
6. Dorothy Wall (Blackrock College RFC/Munster) (17)
7. Grace Moore (Saracens/IQ Rugby) (6)
8. Deirbhile Nic a Bháird (Old Belvedere RFC/Munster) (5)
Replacements:
16. Clara Nielson (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby)*
17. Sadhbh McGrath (City of Derry/Cooke RFC/Ulster) (1)
18. Kathryn Buggy (Gloucester-Hartpury/IQ Rugby)*
19. Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster) (15)
20. Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster) (11)
21. Nicole Cronin (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) (22)
22. Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC/Connacht) (2)
23. Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby) (18)
Saturday's Six Nations game at Musgrave Park kicks off at 3:15pm and will be broadcast live on Virgin Media One and the BBC iPlayer.
See Also: Lindsay Peat Highlights A Serious Advantage Wales Possess Over Irish Team
