World Cup countdown begins for Ireland

With the Women’s World Cup now just ten months away Ireland tomorrow commence what coach Tom Tierney calls “a critical period” in their preparations with a tough assignment against England at the UCD Bowl.

The new November series, which will see Canada and top-ranked New Zealand visit Dublin in the next two weeks, is seen as a key element in providing a large squad with a full playing itinerary through to next August.

“It’s important that, as well as the Six Nations in the New Year, we have games against the best teams in the world, to prepare ourselves as best we possibly can, and give as many people as possible the experience of Test rugby,” said Tierney.

He’s without some experienced players through injury this weekend, including skipper and full-back Niamh Briggs who’s not quite ready after a hamstring problem.No.8 Paula Fitzpatrick will lead the team in her absence.

The coach gives a debut to centre Nicole Fowley of Galwegians, and there could be first ‘caps’ too for forwards Leah Lyons of Highfield and UL Bohemians’ Chloe Pearse, who are named amongst the replacements.

Fowley will form a new midfield pairing with Sene Naoupu, one of the new combinations which Tierney is anxious to use in the next few weeks.

“We have a deeper pool of talent than ever before, and though we won’t be experimenting for the sake of it we will want to see some players coming in and adding to the established quality we have shown we have.

“England is a tough opener, and the 10-5 win over Six Nations champions France in midweek will ensure they will give us a tough examination, but that’s exactly what we want from this new November series which we hope will be an annual part of our fixture list,” said Tierney.

Laura Muldoon and No.10 Nora Stapleton are again named at half-back, and that pairing will be expected to set the tone and the pace against a dogged and hugely experienced visiting side, and Stapleton would love to avenge this year’s 13-9 Six Nations defeat at Twickenham.

“It’s going to be a big game for us, it will be the sort of challenge we all want and given the way we have developed as a squad we will back ourselves on Sunday,” said Stapleton.

“The competition for places is fiercer than ever, and it’s bringing the best out of us all and though we’re focusing only on England for the moment it means we’re looking towards the World Cup here next summer with optimism.”

England make five changes to the starting fifteen against France, coach Simon Middleton also determined to rotate his squad and look at some younger players.

“Our plan was always to make some changes without, hopefully, disturbing the balance of the team, and we showed a real passion and will to win against France which pleased me,” he said.

He does make Rochelle Clark English rugby’s most-capped player when the 35-year-old prop lines up on Sunday, passing Jason Leonard’s record number of appearances.