Tierney wary of threat posed by Italy

Women’s Six Nations: The word from Florence, where Ireland’s Women begin their Six Nations campaign against Italy this evening, is that conditions will be wet although nothing like two years ago when a first ever Grand Slam was sucked out of a Milanese quagmire.

Ireland squeezed home on a scoreline of 6-3 that day thanks to a pair of kicks from full-back Niamh Briggs.

The promise of a decent track should suit an Irish side with plenty of pace, talent and smarts as it chases an opening win.

“Ireland put them to the sword in the Aviva but that wasn’t a true reflection of their quality,” new coach Tom Tierney said.

“They are improving year on year and they haven’t lost any players which means they are another year down the line in their development.”

ITALY: M Furlan; MD Veronese, S Stefan, MG Cioffi, M Sillari; V Schiavon, S Barattin; E Cucchiella, L Cammarano, M Bettoni; F Severin, A Trevisan; I Arrighetti, E Giordano, S Gaudino.

IRELAND: N Briggs; H Tyrrell, J Murphy, J Shiels, A Miller; N Stapleton, L Muldoon; R O’Rwilly, G Bourke, A Egan; ML Reilly, S Spence; P Fitzpatrick, C Molloy, H O’Brien.