Monaghan insists Moloney played role in her rise to international status

IRISH CREW: Linda Djougang, Sam Monaghan, Edel McMahon, Cliodhna Moloney and Lauren Delany. Pic: Ben Brady, Inpho

Co-captain Sam Monaghan has credited returning international Cliodhna Moloney as the reason she is part of the current Ireland camp as she prepares to lead her side into Saturday’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations clash with Wales.

Moloney, 30, is set to make her Ireland comeback off the bench at Cork’s Virgin Media Park, ending the Galway-born, Exeter Chiefs hooker’s more than two-year exile following social media criticism of the IRFU that followed her 31st and most recent appearance in November 2021.