Ireland coach John O'Sullivan has announced a 26-strong women's Six Nations squad that includes eight uncapped players. Sarah Jane Belton will captain the team but Eimear O'Sullivan and Rachel Boyd are unavailable because of work commitments.

Ireland's Six Nations campaign begins on February 1st, against Italy under lights at Templeville Road. There will be a warm-up game against Ireland A, the first fixture of the season.

"We have had more time to prepare this year," said O'Sullivan, "and I would expect us to be very competitive, and though there is no such thing as an easy game at international level, we are certainly looking to win our home games as a minimum."

IRELAND(Women's Six Nations squad): Forwards(13): F Coghlan (UL Bohemian), M Barrett (Highfield), G Bourke (UL Bohemian), L Guest (UL Bohemian), J Limbert (Cooke), Y Nolan (Blackrock), G Healy (Blackrock), C Mahon (UL Bohemian), K O'Loughlin (Clonmel), L Austin (Blackrock), O Brennan (Blackrock), J Neville (UL Bohemian), S Ryan (Blackrock). Backs(13): SJ Belton (UL Bohemian, capt), L Beamish (UL Bohemian), T Rosser (Blackrock), N Briggs (Clonmel), J O'Sullivan (Richmond), P Kelly (UL Bohemian), S Houston (Blackrock), G Davitt (Blackrock), H Brosnan (Highfield), L Cantwell (UL Bohemian), A Davis (Cooke) L O'Hara (Blackrock), J Shiels (Richmond).