More new caps as Tom Tierney looking at bigger picture

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.

Presuming replacement McLaughlin is introduced at some stage, it will bring to 14 the number of new Irish caps since November 2015. And Tierney is confident that his squad will reap the rewards in next year’s World Cup.

“The bigger picture is that, all going well this Sunday, if the three new caps get a run, that will bring 14 new caps since November,” Tierney admitted yesterday.