Rugby

Fitzhenry and Fitzpatrick named in Ireland Women’s team for Italy clash

Fitzhenry returns from Sevens action in Sydney to play in Irish midfield

Katie Fitzhenry returns from Sevens action to play for the Ireland senior XV against Italy at Donnybrook on Sunday. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho

Wed Feb 7 2018 - 15:53

Ireland Women's head coach Adam Griggs has made two changes to his starting XV for Sunday's home game against Italy in Donnybrook (1pm).

Katie Fitzhenry, who was involved with the Ireland Women's Sevens side last weekend at the Sydney Sevens, comes into the side to partner Sene Naoupu in midfield.

The other change comes in the pack where Paula Fitzpatrick moves from the replacements to start in the secondrow alongside Nichola Fryday.

Two uncapped players, Edel McMahon and Michelle Claffey are named on the bench.

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Ireland were beaten 24-0 by France in their opening game in Toulouse last Saturday night and Griggs is looking for an improved showing on Sunday.

“It was a very tough encounter in France last weekend. It’s always hard to go to their and get a result and while we were disappointed in some aspects of our execution, there was plenty to learn from and build on for this week,” said Griggs.

“There were a number of new combinations and while that will take time to bed in we are focused on improving our performance for the first of three home games in Donnybrook.”

IRELAND WOMEN (v Italy Women, Sunday, Donnybrook Stadium, 1pm, Live on RTÉ): Kim Flood (Railway Union/Leinster); Megan Williams (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock College/Leinster), Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Alison Miller (Old Belvedere /Connacht); Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemian /Munster), Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union/Leinster); Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/Leinster), Cliodhna Moloney (Railway Union/Leinster), Fiona Reidy (UL Bohemian/Munster); Paula Fitzpatrick (St Mary's/Leinster), Nichola Fryday (Tullamore/Connacht); Anna Caplice (UL Bohemian/Munster), Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht), Ciara Griffin (Tralee/Munster) (capt).

Replacements: Leah Lyons (Highfield/Munster), Laura Feely (Galweigians/Connacht), Ciara O'Connor (Galwegians/Connacht), Orla Fitzsimons (St Mary's/Leinster), Edel McMahon (Galwegians/Connacht)*, Nicole Cronin (UL Bohemian/Munster), Michelle Claffey (Blackrock College/Leinster)*, Claire McLaughlin (Cooke/Ulster).

* Uncapped at this level

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