Six uncapped players have been named in the Ireland squad for the November tests against USA and Japan.
Maiden call-ups to Adam Griggs’ 33-player group caps off a particularly good week for Leinster’s Mary Healy and Ella Roberts. Healy is coming off the back of a two-try display for Suttonians in the AIL last weekend, while Roberts was part of the Wicklow group that notched a historic first win.
Munster have a pair of uncapped call-ups of their own in Maeve Óg O’Leary and Alana McInerny, while Connacht’s Grace Browne Moran and Shannon Touhey are also new faces to the group.
The squad is named after the conclusion of the interpro series last month plus four rounds of AIL action.
Ciara Griffin is once again named captain for the two games that will take place in the RDS - the first time the venue will see women’s international rugby.
“We’re looking forward to two test matches on home soil this November,” said Griffin ahead of the test matches. “We’re excited about the opportunity to play in front of our supporters again.
“A friday night game under the lights promises to be a special occasion and we hope to see as many of our supporters as possible at the RDS.”
Ireland welcome the USA on Friday November 12th and Japan on Saturday November 20th.
Ireland squad for November tests (* Denotes uncapped player)
Forwards (18): Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/Leinster), Laura Feely (Blackrock College/Connacht), Katie O'Dwyer (Railway Union/Leinster), Chloe Pearse (UL Bohemian/Munster), Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Leah Lyons (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby), Mary Healy (Suttonians/Leinster)*, Neve Jones (Malone/Ulster), Cliodhna Moloney (Wasps/IQ Rugby), Nichola Fryday (Blackrock College/Connacht), Aoife McDermott (Railway Union/Leinster), Sam Monaghan (Wasps/IQ Rugby), Grace Browne Moran (Westport/Connacht)*, Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemians/Munster)(Captain), Anna Caplice (Gloucester/IQ Rugby), Hannah O'Connor (Blackrock College/Leinster), Edel McMahon (Wasps/IQ Rugby), Maeve Óg O'Leary (Blackrock College/Munster)*
Backs (15): Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere/Ulster), Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union/Leinster), Stacey Flood (Railway Union/Leinster), Enya Breen (UL Bohemian/ Munster), Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Eve Higgins (Railway Union/Leinster), Shannon Touhey (Galwegians/Connacht)*, Alana McInerny (UL Bohemians/Munster)*, Eimear Considine (UL Bohemians/Munster), Aoife Doyle (Railway Union/Munster), Laura Sheehan (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby), Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby), Ella Roberts (Wicklow RFC/Leinster)*, Beibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College/Connacht), Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Railway Union/Munster)
