“We’re raring to go.”
Those were the words of Ireland head coach Adam Griggs as the restart beckons.
Italy are in town on Saturday and the Irish have named a strong and settled side as they play their penultimate game of the Six Nations in Donnybrook (kick-off 6.30pm).
After beating Scotland and Wales, the free-wheeling England put Griggs’ team to the sword but, with two games remaining against Italy and France, there’s an opportunity to finish strong.
Eimear Considine takes her spot at full back whilst Claire Molloy is picked for what will be her 70th cap.
Dorothy Walls will make her first start for the country in the back row after coming on as a sub with pure distinction in the three previous Six Nations outings.
All the players have come through their coronavirus tests okay and Griggs is keen for them to know what a privileged position they’re in, just getting to play.
“No one across Irish Rugby in the women’s game is actually able to pull on a jersey and play right now and yet here we are already privileged to represent our country and be one of the only teams actually playing in these times,” the head coach said.
“It’s not lost on us and we want to make sure that we perform really well and give everyone watching something to cheer about come the final whistle.”
Ireland team to play Italy
15. Eimear Considine (UL Bohemian/ Munster) 15 caps
14. Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks/ IQ Rugby) 11 caps
13. Enya Breen (UL Bohemian/ Munster) 7 caps
12. Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/ Leinster) 37 caps
11. Béibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College/ Connacht) 7 caps
10. Hannah Tyrrell (Old Belvedere/ Leinster) 16 caps
9. Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere/ Ulster) 9 Caps
1. Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/ Leinster) 30 caps
2. Cliodhna Moloney (Wasps/ IQ Rugby) 22 caps
3. Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere/ Leinster) 8 caps
4. Nichola Fryday (Blackrock College/ Connacht) 14 caps
5. Ciara Cooney (Wasps / IQ Rugby) 21 caps
6. Dorothy Wall (Blackrock College/ Munster) 3 caps
7. Claire Molloy (Wasps / IQ Rugby) 69 caps
8. Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemian/ Munster) (capt) 32 caps
16. Neve Jones (Malone/ Ulster)*
17. Katie O’Dwyer (Railway Union/ Leinster)*
18. Laura Feely (Blackrock College/ Connacht) 15 caps
19. Brittany Hogan (Ballynahinch/ Ulster)*
20. Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College/ Leinster) 1 cap
21. Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union/ Leinster) 11 caps
22. Larissa Muldoon (Railway Union/ Leinster) 47 caps
23. Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock College/ Leinster) 13 caps
* Denotes uncapped player at this level
