Ireland head coach Adam Griggs has selected an unchanged XV for Saturday's women's Rugby World Cup 2021 Europe qualifier against Scotland at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma (kick-off 5pm Irish time, live on RTÉ2, World Rugby YouTube and rugbyworldcup.com/2021).
Heading into the final round of fixtures, Ireland, hosts Italy, Spain and Scotland are all locked on five points in the standings with Saturday’s double header set to determine which side secures their spot at next year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and who progresses through to the final repechage tournament as the second-ranked team.
Griggs has maintained consistency in selection for the meeting with Six Nations rivals Scotland, rewarding the players who produced a measured performance to defeat Italy in round two.
Eimear Considine, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe and Beibhinn Parsons continue in the back three, with Eve Higgins and Sene Naoupu retained in the Ireland midfield. Kathryn Dane and Stacey Flood are named in the halfbacks.
Laura Feely, Cliodhna Moloney and Linda Djougang pack down in the frontrow, with Nichola Fryday partnered by Sam Monaghan in the secondrow once again. Dorothy Wall starts at blindside flanker, with Edel McMahon at seven and captain Ciara Griffin at number eight.
There is one change on the Ireland replacements bench from last week, with Lucy Mulhall coming into the 23 in place of the injured Enya Breen.
Commenting ahead of the game, Griggs said: “It has been another good week of preparation, and the group have maintained that laser-focus on the task ahead. We’re under no illusions of the challenge facing us but also the prize on offer, and have not shied away from embracing the pressure Saturday will inevitably bring.
“We have received huge support from home throughout this tournament and are looking forward to having more green in Parma on Saturday. Hopefully we can deliver the result we’re all striving to achieve.”
IRELAND: Eimear Considine; Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Eve Higgins, Sene Naoupu, Beibhinn Parsons; Stacey Flood, Kathryn Dane; Laura Feely, Cliodhna Moloney, Linda Djougang; Nichola Fryday, Sam Monaghan; Dorothy Wall, Edel McMahon, Ciara Griffin (Capt).
Replacements: Neve Jones, Lindsay Peat, Leah Lyons, Brittany Hogan, Claire Molloy, Emily Lane, Lucy Mulhall, Lauren Delany.
