Rosser to win 50th cap against world champions New Zealand

Tania Rosser will win her 50th international cap against her native New Zealand when Ireland face the World Cup champions in Paris this afternoon.

It will be the first time Ireland play the Black Ferns in the 15s game, having previously met at the Sevens World Cup in Moscow last summer.

From Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand, Rosser moved to Ireland at the turn of the century and has lined out in two previous World Cups for Ireland — in Canada in 2006 and in Surrey in 2010.

The Leinster star then took a four-year international break following the birth of her son, Serge, while she also underwent surgery to repair a long-term shoulder problem.

At 35, Rosser stepped back out of retirement this year and started at scrum-half in Ireland’s opening World Cup win on Friday against USA (23-17).

Coach Philip Doyle has made one change to the side that defeated the USA, with Leinster’s Paula Fitzpatrick replacing Munster’s Siobhán Fleming on the blindside.

New Zealand are tournament favourites and defeated Kazakhstan 79-5 in their opening game.

Ireland will look to deny Kelly Brazier, Selicia Winiata and Honey Hireme on the wings, while they’ll need big performances from Niamh Briggs, Alison Miller, Claire Molloy, Grace Davitt and Nora Stapleton.

The game will be televised live on both TG4 and Sky Sports, with former Irish international Rosie Foley — sister of Munster coach Anthony — providing the commentary on Sky Sports.

IRELAND: N Briggs, A Baxter, L Cantwell, Grace Davitt; A Miller, N Stapleton, T Rosser, F Coghlan, G Bourke, A Egan, S Spence, ML Reilly, P Fitzpatrick, C Molloy, H O’Brien.

Replacements: S Lynch, F Hayes, L Guest, S Fleming, L Muldoon, J Murphy, V McGinn.