Niamh Briggs gets all-clear to face Italy

Niamh Briggs’ AC joint soreness is not been deemed serious enough to deny her the chance to take the field at fullback in this evening’s historic first women’s international at the Aviva Stadium.

The former Waterford footballer, so important to Ireland’s game plan both as a strike runner and for her peerless kicking ability, has been cursed by injury since kicking the penalty in Parabiagio to complete the Grand Slam 12 months ago.

The Limerick-based Garda passed a fitness test Thursday night and will run out behind Fiona Coghlan, after their long walk to the main arena. Literally and figuratively. All 46 players are changing in the Lansdowne FC club house and must walk a pre-timed four minutes to reach the field of play just five minutes before kick-off.

The IRFU have granted the women use of their hallowed turf tonight but only for the game. They must do their warm-up on the back pitch. That will surely lessen the number of supporters who will remain in the ground 40 minutes after the men depart.

Recovery
Briggs' recovery means the only changes made by Philip Doyle are tactical, with one eye on rewarding squad players and another looking ahead to the huge French, also literally and figuratively, challenge next Friday night in Pau.

“Niamh’s fitness is a huge lift,” said Doyle. “She is such a pivotal figure in our attack and of course the distance she gets on her kicking.”

She was certainly missed in the closing stages of the 17-10 defeat in Twickenham as Ireland struggled to get a territorial foothold.

"Not that we plan to kick against Italy. Their fullback is an excellent player and wingers are lightning quick. No, we're not going to be kicking to them. Once outside our 22 we will look to run the ball as much as possible."

Jenny Murphy is a surprise omission from the starting XV, with Grace Davitt winning her 50th cap as she partners Lynne Cantwell in midfield. Doyle has also moved regular hooker Gillian Bourke to tighthead prop and Larissa Muldoon is edged out of the number nine jersey by Amy Davis.
IRELAND : N Briggs; A Baxter, L Cantwell, G Davitt, A Miller; N Stapleton, A Davis; F Coghlan, S-L Kennedy, G Bourke; S Spence, M-L Reilly; S Fleming, C Molloy, H O'Brien. Replacements : A Egan, F Hayes, K-A Craddock, P Fitzpatrick, L Muldoon, H Casey, J Muphy, J Shiels.
ITALY : M Furlan; M Diletta, M Sillari, B Rigoni, MG Cioffi; V Schiavon, S Barbattin; M Ferrari, M Bettoni, A Coulibaly; C Molic, A trevisan; M Este, I Arrighetti, S Gaudino. Replacements : D Ballarini, L Cammarano, I Campanini, A Pantarotto, E Giordano, M Magatti, M Bruno, S Stefan.
Verdict: Ireland