Rugby:Fiona Coghlan will captain the Ireland women's side in Sunday's Six Nations opener against Italy after coach Philip Doyle named his starting XV today.
Coghlan will be joined in the frontrow by Gillian Bourke and Lauren Day, who missed the women’s World Cup through injury.
Marie Lousie Reilly and Laura Guest form the secondrow with Carol Staunton and Claire Molloy to pack down in the backrow either side of dynamic number eight Joy Neville.
Nora Stapleton, who made her debut against Italy last year, moves from the wing to outhalf, a position she has been playing for her club side Old Belvedere. She will be partnered in the half backs by Blackrock’s Amy Davis.
The experienced Lynne Cantwell is joined in the centre by Highfield’s Geraldine Rea.
Niamh Briggs will again assume the kicking duties from fullback with UL Bohemians wingers Mairead Kelly and Niamh Kavanagh completing the back three.
Sunday’s kick-off in Rovigo is 1.30pm Irish time.
Ireland Women's team (v Italy):Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster), Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians/Munster), Lynne Cantwell (Richmond/Exile), Geraldine Rea (Highfield/Munster), Mairead Kelly (UL Bohemians/Munster), Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Amy Davis (Blackrock/Leinster), Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster) Captain, Gillian Bourke (Bristol/Munster), Lauren Day (Waterloo/Ulster), Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Laura Guest (Highfield/Munster), Carol Staunton (Galwegians/Connacht), Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht), Joy Neville (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Replacements:Stacey Kennedy (City of Derry/Ulster), Emer McManamly (Blackrock/Leinster), Deirdre O'Brien (Blackrock/Leinster), Heather O'Brien (Highfield/Munster), Larissa Muldoon (UWIC/Exile), Gill Nolan (St. Mary's/Leinster), Jackie Shiels (Richmond/Leinster)
