Tom Tierney opts for experience in World Cup squad

Ireland Women’s coach Tom Tierney has named one uncapped player, Munster scrumhalf Nicole Cronin in the 28 player-squad for the Women’s Rugby World Cup that takes place in UCD and Belfast next month. The UL Bomenian player has regularly featured for the Ireland Sevens team.

Ireland open their campaign against Australia on Wednesday, August 9th (7.0) at the UCD Bowl, play Japan four days later at the same venue and then conclude the pool stage of the tournament with a game against their Six Nations rivals France on Thursday, August 17th (7.45).

There are 12 players in the squad with previous World Cup experience; Ailis Egan, Heather O’Brien, Sophie Spence, Ashleigh Baxter, Paula Fitzpatrick, Alison Miller, Larissa Muldoon and Jenny Murphy were involved at France 2014, while Briggs, Claire Molloy, Marie-Louise Reilly and Nora Stapleton are all set to compete at their third World Cup, having been involved in both 2010 and 2014.

Cronin along with Hannah Tyrrell, Katie Fitzhenry, Sene Naoupu, Baxter and Miller all made appearances on this season’s circuit of the World Rugby Women’s World Sevens Series.

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Tierney said of the selection: “Over the past three seasons we have been conscious of the need to build and develop a squad for this tournament, and as a result of the program many players have had the opportunity to prepare for this moment and play international rugby and show their skills at the highest level.

“We have named players who have been here before and are aware of the challenge that lies ahead, and then there are a number of players in the squad for whom this will be their first ever World Cup and I am extremely confident they will compete for starting positions throughout the campaign.

“The players have been training consistently over the past number of months, and we have had a preparation that is far more comprehensive than previous campaigns.

“The anticipation and excitement has been building steadily amongst the players and the program has provided us every opportunity, so it is now up to us to put our best foot forward during this campaign.

“The opportunity to play in a World Cup on home soil is a once in a life time opportunity, and while we are in a tough pool with Australia, Japan and our Six Nations rivals France, I am sure the players will rise to the occasion in front of their home fans.”

Tickets for all pool games in UCD are sold out, however tickets for the Semi-Finals and Finals Day in Kingspan Stadium and the ranking matches in Queen’s University are still available via www.ticketmaster.ie / www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

Ireland’s matches will be broadcast live via Eir Sport, RTE and RTE Radio in the Republic of Ireland and via ITV in the Britain.

Ireland Women's World Cup squad: Ashleigh Baxter (Cooke/Ulster), Anna Caplice (UL Bohemian/Munster), Ciara Cooney (Railway Union/Leinster), Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary's College RFC/Leinster), Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemian/Munster), Leah Lyons (Highfield/Munster), Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht), Cliodhna Moloney (Railway Union/Leinster), Heather O'Brien (Highfield/Munster), Ciara O'Connor (Galwegians/Connacht), Ruth O'Reilly (Galwegians/Connacht), Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/Leinster), Marie-Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemian/Munster, capt), Eimear Considine (UL Bohemian/Munster), Mairead Coyne (Galwegians/Connacht), Nicole Cronin (UL Bohemian/Munster), Jeamie Deacon (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), Claire McLaughlin (Cooke/Ulster), Alison Miller (Old Belvedere/Connacht), Larissa Muldoon (Railway Union), Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Sene Naoupu (Harlequins FC), Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Hannah Tyrrell (Old Belvedere/Leinster).