Doyle makes three changes for Wales trip

IRISH women’s coach Philip Doyle has made three changes from the side that hammered Scotland for Sunday’s Six Nations clash with Wales (Cross Keys RFC, Gwent, 2.30pm).

Ireland defeated the Scots (22-5) but Doyle is intent on increasing the experience within the squad and has recalled Lauren Day and Carol Staunton to the front and back rows respectively, and has named Laura Guest in the second row for the game.

Ailis Egan and Heather O’Brien come into the squad on the replacements bench as Doyle seeks to increase the number of player’s gaining experience at this level.

Doyle said: “The squad are looking forward to this weekend’s test. Wales away is always a strong challenge and we are under no illusions about the strength of this Welsh side.

“We have had good results in the tournament and are striving for another positive result this weekend.”

IRELAND WOMEN: N Briggs (Clonmel, Munster), N Kavanagh (UL Bohemian, Munster), L Cantwell (Richmond, Exile), G Rea (Highfield, Munster), M Kelly (UL Bohemian, Munster), N Stapleton (Old Belvedere, Leinster), A Davis (Blackrock, Leinster), F Coghlan (UL Bohemian, Leinster), G Bourke (Bristol, Munster), L Day (Waterloo, Ulster), L Guest (Highfield, Munster), M Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere, Leinster), C Staunton (Galwegians, Connacht), C Molloy (Bristol, Connacht), J Neville (UL Bohemian, Munster)

Replacements: S Kennedy (City of Derry, Ulster), A Egan (Old Belvedere, Leinster), D O’Brien (Blackrock, Leinster), H O’Brien (Highfield, Munster), L Muldoon (UWIC, Exile), G Nolan (St Marys, Leinster), J Shiels (Richmond, Leinster).