Change of guard in defence as Ireland look to future

Diane Caldwell, Louise Quinn and Niamh Fahey have formed that backbone for the majority of the last decade and now the centurions are all well into their thirties.

CORE POTENTIAL: Eileen Gileeson spoke on getting minutes under Jessie Stapleton belt as she could potentially be core starting centre back in 2025. Pic:©INPHO/Giuseppe Fama

It’s at the back that Ireland are looking to the future.

France in the opener of a brutally daunting Euro qualification group looms this day week in Metz but tackling the transition of their steady defence has been clear for a while.