Roscommon woman named to start in Ireland’s World Cup opener
Aoibheann Reilly will start at scrum half for Ireland against Italy this Sunday. Picture: INPHO/Tom Maher
Roscommon’s Aoibheann Reilly has been named to start for Ireland in their World Cup opener against Japan this Sunday.
She will line out at scrum half in what will be Ireland’s first World Cup game since 2017.
The scrum half is one of four Connacht players named in the squad with Beibhinn Parsons and joint captain Edel McMahon also starting. Anna McGann is selected among the replacements.
Bemand has named Stacey Flood, Béibhinn Parsons and Amee-Leigh Costigan in Ireland’s starting back three, with Eve Higgins partnering Aoife Dalton in midfield. Aoibheann Reilly starts at nine to partner Dannah O’Brien in the half-backs.
In the pack, Niamh O’Dowd, Neve Jones and Linda Djougang start in the front row, with Ruth Campbell and co-captain Monaghan in the engine room. Fiona Tuite is named at blindside flanker, with McMahon at openside and Brittany Hogan at number eight.
Bemand has strong options among the replacements with forwards Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald, in line for her second Women’s Rugby World Cup in green, Ellena Perry, Sadhbh McGrath, Eimear Corri-Fallon and Grace Moore providing the reinforcements up front, while backs Emily Lane, Enya Breen and Anna McGann complete Ireland’s Match Day Squad.
Ireland will face Japan this Sunday at 12 p.m. with the game being broadcast live on RTÉ 2.
