Irish women name six uncapped players

Ireland has named six uncapped players for their opening Six Nations Championship match against Italy in Stadio Mario Lodigiani. Leinster's Hannah Tyrrell will make her debut on the wing while Sarah Mimnagh, Fiona O'Brien, Katie Norris, Katie Fitzhenry and Sene Naoupu have been named on the bench.

Ireland also select a number of seasoned players with 46-cap Gillian Bourke, 34-cap Marie Louise Reilly, 20-cap Sophie Spence and 36-cap Claire Molloy all starting in the pack.

The side will be captained by full back Niamh Briggs, who with 45 international matches under her belt is the second most capped player in the starting side.

"There is a natural changeover with the number of players retiring after last season, but there is a core group of senior players that are very experienced and talented," said new coach Tom Tierney.

Philip Doyle stepped down after what was considered a successful World Cup in France last summer, where Ireland made it through to the semifinal after beating New Zealand for the first time.

“We also have a number of younger players who are very talented and have a lot of promise so it’s a good mix. It’s going to be a very tough game over in Italy. We are under no illusions, but we are going over there very confident that we will be competitive.”

It will be the former Irish scrumhalf’s first championship in charge having been appointed to the job in December 2014.