Jenny Murphy scored a try in the final play of the night to snatch a dramatic victory for Ireland in difficult conditions.

Ireland women’s coach Tom Tierney has named five uncapped players in his Six Nations squad but it is the absence of former World Player of the Year nominee Sophie Spence that stood out.

With Kim Flood, Liz Burke and Claire McLaughlin set to make their debuts against Italy in Donnybrook tomorrow (1pm), Ireland coach Tom Tierney is continuing his development of new playing talent during this Six Nations campaign.

It’s already been a campaign featuring fresh faces and Ireland women’s coach Tom Tierney has continued with that policy for the side’s latest Six Nations outing, against Italy, at Donnybrook on Sunday at 1pm.

It may well be the most notorious train journey in Irish sporting history.

Ireland’s inexperienced women’s out-half Nikki Caughey thought there would be more nerves on her return to the team against Wales last weekend after a two-year absence with injury.

Much is expected of the Irish women today as they take to the fast-paced 4G surface at Donnybrook for the first time in the Six Nations, but captain Niamh Briggs as warned her players that they must make the Dublin venue a fortress.

RBS Women’s 6 Nations

RBS Women’s 6 Nations: Wales 0 Ireland 20

Most opposing players harbour painful memories of games against England’s Women, but few match those of Ailis Egan.

The last time England’s women paid a visit to Ashbourne they did it without a host of players diverted for duties with the national Sevens side.

Women’s Six Nations

Women’s Six Nations: Ireland’s opening 70 minutes against Italy bodes well for this Six Nations campaign, but Nora Stapleton insists the side aim to atone for a disappointing finish as they meet champions France in Ashbourne tonight.

Ireland’s U20s and Women’s: Both teams enjoyed ultimately comfortable openings to their respective Six Nations campaigns last Friday.

Italy 5 Ireland 30: Women’s Six Nations Championship: New captain Niamh Briggs led by example with a woman of the match performance as Ireland got their Six Nations campaign off to a winning start.

WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP:

Ireland 7 England 40

New Zealand 14 Ireland 17

Tania Rosser will win her 50th international cap against her native New Zealand when Ireland face the World Cup champions in Paris this afternoon.

IRFU WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP POOL B:

France 19 Ireland 15

Ireland’s Lynne Cantwell will win her 83rd cap in tomorrow’s Six Nations clash with Grand Slam chasing France.

Ireland 39 Italy 0

England 17 Ireland 10

Ireland coach Philip Doyle has made two changes from the side that demolished Scotland for tomorrow night’s RBS Women’s Six Nations clash with Wales (Ashbourne, 7.30pm).

Irish coach Philip Doyle has gone with form ahead of tomorrow night’s Six Nations opener against Scotland in Ashbourne RFC (7.30pm).

Italy 3 Ireland 6

Standing on the cusp of a Grand Slam facing a side you beat 40-10 last year can be a precarious perch.

Ireland 30 Scotland 3

Ireland 25 England 0

Ireland claimed third spot on the Women’s Six Nations table despite a final day loss to England at Esher RFC.

Ireland’s icy weather conditions took their toll last night as the Women’s RBS 6 Nations opener against Wales was abandoned due to a frozen pitch at Ashbourne RFC.

IRELAND’S hopes of causing an upset in the Women’s World Cup evaporated in Surrey last night, as England gradually ground them down before recording a bonus-point win.

Ireland 15 Scotland 3

Ireland 18 Wales 3