Street decides to change winning team

WOMEN'S SIX NATIONS: Ireland v England Despite thrashing Scotland 76-0 last weekend, or perhaps because of it, England coach…

WOMEN'S SIX NATIONS: Ireland v EnglandDespite thrashing Scotland 76-0 last weekend, or perhaps because of it, England coach Gary Street has made a raft of changes for this afternoon's trip to Meath.

That includes an entirely new frontrow which seemingly strengthens the champions, led by number eight Sarah Hunter, who are expected to stretch their winning streak to 14 matches.

No fixture is more daunting for Ireland coach Philip Doyle and his captain Fiona Coghlan. England have lost just one of their last 39 Six Nations outings, dating back to 2005, with the depth of talent unhindered by the loss of their Sevens contingent, who won on the IRB circuit in Houston, Texas, last week.

Doyle has also made changes to the side that beat Wales with Nora Stapleton starting at outhalf, freeing up Lynne Cantwell to play centre alongside Jenny Murphy, while Ashleigh Baxter comes onto the right wing for Niamh Kavanagh. Siobhan Fleming starts on the blindside flank ahead of Laura Guest.

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The game will be streamed live on www.irishrugby.iebut for those attending Ashbourne RFC a car of four people is €20, adults and students €10 each and children €5.

IRELAND: N Briggs (Munster); A Baxter (Ulster), L Cantwell (Exiles), J Murphy (Leinster), A Miller (Connacht); N Stapleton (Leinster), L Muldoon (Exiles); F Coghlan (Leinster, capt), G Bourke (Munster), A Egan (Leinster), S Spence (Exiles), M Louise Reilly (Leinster), S Fleming (Munster), C Molloy (Exiles), J Neville (Munster). Replacements: S-L Kennedy (Ulster), F Hayes (Munster), L Day (Exiles), L Dargan (Exiles), L Guest (Munster), A Davis (Ulster), G Davitt (Ulster), N Kavanagh (Munster).

ENGLAND: K Wilson (Bristol); F Matthews (Richmond), A Chamberlain (Richmond), A Reed (Bristol), S Tuson (Bristol); C Large (Worcester), L Mason (Wasps); R Clark (Worcester), V Fleetwood (Lichfield), S Hemming (Bristol), R Burnfield (Richmond), T Taylor (Lichfield), J McGilchrist (Wasps), H Gallagher (Saracens), S Hunter (Lichfield, capt). Replacements: E Croker (Richmond), L Keates (Worcester), R Crowley (Lichfield), R Essex (Richmond), H Millar-Mills (Lichfield), G Gulliver (Lichfield), L Cattell (Saracens), F Pocock (Richmond).

Referee: Andrea Spadoni (Italy).

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey is The Irish Times' Soccer Correspondent