Lucy Mulhall handed dream debut in World Cup qualifier

Ireland Sevens captain Mulhall is named to start at outside centre for the  Europe Qualifier against Spain at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

Lucy Mulhall

Ireland women's coach Adam Griggs has named two uncapped players in his squad for Monday's opening game of the Rugby World Cup 2021 Europe Qualifier against Spain at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

Ireland Sevens captain Lucy Mulhall is named to start at outside centre while Sam Monaghan, who has come through the IRFU's IQ Rugby programme, is on the bench for the Round 1 encounter in Parma.

Ciara Griffin will captain Ireland with Muhall the only change to his starting side from the Six Nations win over Italy in April.

Having scored twice in the win over Italy at Energia Park last time out, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe is named in an exciting Ireland back three alongside Eimear Considine and Beibhinn Parsons, while Kathryn Dane and Stacey Flood continue their half-back partnership for the contest against Spain. There is a familiar look to the Ireland pack with Lindsay Peat, Cliodhna Moloney and Linda Djougang providing plenty of experience in the front row, and Aoife McDermott and Nichola Fryday are selected in the second row together for the fourth consecutive game. Griffin is joined in a dynamic back row by Dorothy Wall at blindside flanker and Brittany Hogan at number eight, with the fit-again Edel McMahon named among the replacements having missed the Six Nations through injury.

The game kicks off at 5pm Irish time and will be broadcast live on World Rugby YouTube/Facebook and rugbyworldcup.com/2021.

IRELAND (v Spain): Eimear Considine (UL Bohemian/Munster)(18), Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Railway Union/Munster)(2), Lucy Mulhall (Rathdrum/Leinster)*, Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(41), Beibhinn Parsons (Ballinasloe/Blackrock College/Connacht)(11), Stacey Flood (Railway Union/Leinster)(3), Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere/Ulster)(13);

Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/Leinster)(34), Cliodhna Moloney (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(26), Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(12), Aoife McDermott (Railway Union/Leinster)(16), Nichola Fryday (Blackrock College/Connacht)(18), Dorothy Wall (Blackrock College/Munster)(7), Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemian/Munster)(Captain)(36), Brittany Hogan (DCU/Old Belvedere/Ulster)(4).

Replacements: Neve Jones (Malone/Ulster)(3), Laura Feely (Blackrock College/Connacht)(19), Leah Lyons (Sale/IQ Rugby)(26), Sam Monaghan (Wasps/IQ Rugby),* Edel McMahon (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(9), Emily Lane (Blackrock College/Munster)(3), Enya Breen (UL Bohemian/Munster)(6), Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)(14).

*Denotes upcapped players