Six Nations: Ireland name team to face Italy in front of bumper crowd in Galway

Erin King leads the side as Leinster winger Robyn O'Connor makes her debut

LEADING BY EXAMPLE: Ireland captain Erin King receives the ball from a lineout against England. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Head coach Scott Bemand has named the Ireland Match Day Squad, sponsored by Aon, for Saturday's Guinness Women's Six Nations clash against Italy at Dexcom Stadium (5.40pm).

Following last weekend's Championship opener in London, Ireland return home for their first Six Nations outing in Galway, with the new Clan Stand now sold out as ticket sales pass the 8,000-mark.

Erin King leads the side into this encounter with Italy, as Leinster winger Robyn O'Connor is named in Bemand's starting team for her debut appearance in green.

Béibhinn Parsons, Aoife Wafer and Emily Lane at training this week. Picture: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

O'Connor is joined in the Ireland back three by Stacey Flood at full-back and Béibhinn Parsons on the right wing, with Nancy McGillivray partnering Aoife Dalton in midfield.

There is an unchanged half-back pairing for Ireland as Emily Lane and Dannah O'Brien link up once again.

In the pack, Ellena Perry, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald and Linda Djougang are selected in the front row, with Ruth Campbell coming into the side to join Fiona Tuite in Ireland's engine room, while the back row of Brittany Hogan, captain King and Aoife Wafer remaining unchanged.

Bemand has experienced options on the bench to call upon as Neve Jones, Niamh O'Dowd, Sadhbh McGrath, Dorothy Wall and the fit again Sam Monaghan providing the forward replacements, while backs Katie Whelan, Eve Higgins and Anna McGann complete Ireland's Match Day 23.

Saturday's match is live on Virgin Media One and BBC iPlayer, with radio commentary available on RTÉ Radio 1.

IRELAND (v Italy):

15. Stacey Flood

14. Béibhinn Parsons

13. Aoife Dalton

12. Nancy McGillivray

11. Robyn O’Connor

10. Dannah O’Brien

9. Emily Lane

1. Ellena Perry

2. Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald

3. Linda Djougang

4. Ruth Campbell

5. Fiona Tuite

6. Brittany Hogan

7. Erin King (captain)

8. Aoife Wafer

Replacements: Neve Jones, Niamh O’Dowd, Sadhbh McGrath, Dorothy Wall, Sam Monaghan, Katie Whelan, Eve Higgins, Anna McGann.