Amee-Leigh Costigan an 'absolute role model leader' as she captains Ireland for first time

Although there aren’t any debutants in the match day 23 for tomorrow’s game, Railway Union's Anna McGann will make her first appearance for Ireland under Bemand alongside Costigan and Stacey Flood in the back-three.

LEADER: Amee-Leigh Costigan will lead Ireland for the first time in their opening game against France in the Guinness Women's Six Nations. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Ireland women’s head coach Scott Bemand has identified Amee-Leigh Costigan as an ideal ‘role model leader’ after the Tipperary native was named as captain for his side’s Six Nations opener against France at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast tomorrow (kick-off 1pm).

During last year’s Championship, Sam Monaghan and Edel McMahon operated as Irish co-captains – roles they also held during a successful WXV 3 campaign in October 2023. While the forward duo only started two games together in the 2024 Six Nations, at least one of them was in the first 15 across the five encounters Ireland played in the tournament.