Now 'the right time' to bring Cliodhna Moloney back into Ireland fold

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand says that now is simply “the right time” to bring Cliodhna Moloney back in to the international fold. Pic Credit: Ben Brady, Inpho.

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand says that now is simply “the right time” to bring Cliodhna Moloney back in to the international fold.

The Exeter Chiefs hooker has not played for Ireland since late 2021, shortly after she had publicly criticised former IRFU women’s director of rugby Anthony Eddy of ‘spreading slurry’ on social media.

Eddy's take was that the union had not shirked in providing supports for the women’s national team.

He suggested that the reasons for their failure to qualify for the World Cup that autumn had laid at the door of the players.

Moloney’s absence from the setup despite continued good form in England has been a regular talking point.

Former head coach Greg McWilliams admitted last year that it was the “elephant in the room” and her omission continued under Bemand.

This is the Englishman’s first season in charge and he didn’t name Moloney for the inaugural WXV3 tournament last autumn, or for the opening two rounds of the current Six Nations. The call-up only came last week.

“We’d been in comms for a reasonable while,” Bemand explained before Saturday’s round three tie against Wales in Cork’s Virgin Media Park. “We’d been tracking how she’s playing. We got to a point where we feel it’s the right time.

“We’re carrying two hookers within the 36. We’ve two training panellist hookers who are relatively recent conversions to hookers too.

"Sarah (Delaney) has picked up a little bit of a ding on her shoulder so it’s the right time to give her an opportunity.”

Ireland Women's Rugby Squad Training.

Bemand was vague when asked if the Exeter forward could be elevated straight into the matchday 23 this weekend. Her clubmate Edel McMahon knows Moloney better than most and is thrilled to see her return.

“Yeah it's brilliant. I live with her so I think I know her quite well. I’ve been privileged to play with her for a long time with Wasps and Chiefs so I just know the standard that she lives by day to day, what she brings on the pitch. She’s slotted in very well and training well as well.”

Bemand was clearly taken aback by the level of interest in Moloney’s recall at Tuesday’s press event. He shouldn’t have been.

This was a cause célèbre situation for well over two years but he repeated that this was simply "an opportunity that presented itself”.

The bottom line is that a player of her talent and experience will make Ireland better. Moloney has played 31 times for her country despite the long recent absence.

That makes her one of the most experienced players in this young squad.

“I suppose her aggression, definitely and assertiveness around the park,” said McMahon when asked for her attributes.

“She carries well, she’s slotted in really well with the girls already. Just going about her business. Yeah, so straight to it.”