Ireland and Italy will not be allowed warm-up on the main pitch before the women’s historic first ever Test match at the Aviva stadium on Saturday.
March 8th is also International Women’s Day.
Both teams have been denied access to the field of play until five minutes before kick-off, which will be 35 minutes after the full-time whistle in the men’s game.
The crowd are expected to remain in their seats for a post-match presentation to Brian O’Driscoll while Fiona Coghlan’s Grand Slam winning squad will be fine-tuning preparations on the back pitch.
However, the majority of the 50,000 crowd will have dispersed by the time the women make their elongated journey into the stadium at around 4.55pm.
Before the 17-10 defeat to England at Twickenham on February 22nd both women’s teams were allowed do their warm-ups on the field.
They are also forced to use the Lansdowne FC changing rooms as the additional facilities at the Aviva stadium do not meet the required needs.
Due to a largely male coaching team and physios, two changing rooms are required. The extra stadium rooms are not large enough to cater for a 23 woman squad. To ensure entry via the main tunnel all 46 players must embark on a four minute walk from the Lansdowne club house to reach the pitch.
The stadium will endeavour to stop all traffic along their pathway so as to avoid any further disruption en route to this historic event.
“I’m very happy with our preparation and none of this bothers me,” said Ireland coach Philip Doyle. “Maybe years down the road things will change but for now it is a real privilege for the girls to be playing at their national stadium for the first time.”
Despite being named at fullback Niamh Briggs remains an injury doubt for Saturday. Ireland’s place-kicker must undergo a fitness test today having damaged her collarbone against England. Doyle has made three changes to the starting XV. Most notably Grace Davitt replaces Jenny Murphy at inside centre, renewing a long standing midfield partnership with Lynne Cantwell and earning her 50th cap.
Murphy was also forced off with a heavy knock at Twickenham but is retained on the bench. “Jenny is some player to make an impact,” Doyle explained. “And we want her fresh for Pau.”
Ireland are expected to travel to France with the championship at stake in the Stade du Hameau on Friday week.
