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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Michael Scully

Greg McWilliams names eight uncapped players in Ireland's squad for the Women's Six Nations

There are eight uncapped players named in Greg McWilliams' 32-strong squad for the Women's 2023 Six Nations.

Ireland kick off the championship away to Wales on March 25th and McWilliams has selected his squad following the Women's Interprovincial Championship and the recently concluded Celtic Challenge tournament.

McWilliams has handed call-ups to four players for the first time - forwards Niamh O'Dowd, Sadhbh McGrath, Fiona Tuite, Molly Boyne impressed for the Combined Provinces XV during their unbeaten Celtic Challenge campaign.

READ MORE : James Lowe: Ireland's defence must improve against the in-form Finn Russell

Uncapped IQ Rugby duo Kathryn Buggy and Clara Neilson are also included, as are uncapped backs Ella Roberts (Combined Provinces) and Harlequins' Emma Swords.

McWilliams has also named 12 players in a wider training panel who will also assemble at the IRFU high performance centre this weekend for a two-day camp.

Ireland captain Nichola Fryday said: "We're really excited to get the Six Nations underway, as it will be our first campaign together as a group since the Tour of Japan, which provided us with an invaluable platform to build together as a squad moving forward.

"The Celtic Challenge has granted so many players access to quality game time in recent weeks, and this coupled with the game time the UK-based players have had in the Premiership in recent months, will serve us well moving into the opening Rounds of the Six Nations.

"We are really looking forward to returning to Cork for two huge home matches, as the support we received at Musgrave Park last year was incredible."

And McWilliams commented: "There is a great sense of anticipation and excitement leading into the Six Nations.

"We are very excited about the group of players who will represent Ireland in the upcoming Championship and certainly the Celtic Challenge preparation has been vital for our development.

"We have identified players who are ready for international rugby and we have had the opportunity to work with those players over the last five weeks, with that contact time incredibly valuable as we build the depth and strength of the group.

"There is an exciting blend of youth and experience and these players are fit for Test rugby.

"We will work exceptionally hard over the coming weeks in preparation for the opening weekend and while we are aware of the challenges ahead of us, we are excited to get to task."

Tickets for Ireland's home matches at Musgrave Park are available to purchase via Ticketmaster.ie.

Ireland Squad, TikTok Women's Six Nations:

Forwards (18):

Niamh O'Dowd (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)*
Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke RFC/Ulster)*
Kathryn Buggy (Gloucester-Hartbury/IQ Rugby)*
Christy Haney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartbury/Ulster)
Clara Nielson (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby)*
Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird (Old Belvedere RFC/Munster)
Nichola Fryday (Exeter Chiefs/Connacht)(captain)
Sam Monaghan (Gloucester-Hartbury/IQ Rugby)
Fiona Tuite (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)*
Hannah O'Connor (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
Dorothy Wall (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)
Grace Moore (Saracens/IQ Rugby)
Maeve Óg O'Leary (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)
Edel McMahon (Exeter Chiefs/Connacht)
Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)
Molly Boyne (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)*

Backs (14):

Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)
Emma Swords (Harlequins/IQ Rugby)*
Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)
Dannah O'Brien (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Nicole Cronin (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)
Enya Breen (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)
Aoife Wafer (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Vicky Irwin (Sale Sharks/Ulster)
Méabh Deely (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)
Aoife Doyle (Railway Union RFC/Munster)
Natasja Behan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
Ella Roberts (Wicklow RFC/Leinster)*
Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby).

*denotes uncapped player

Ireland fixtures

  • Wales v Ireland, Saturday 25 March, Cardiff Arms Park, 2.15pm
  • Ireland v France, Saturday 1 April, Musgrave Park, 3.15pm
  • Italy v Ireland, Saturday 15 April, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, 4.45pm
  • Ireland v England, Saturday 22 April, Musgrave Park, 2.15pm
  • Scotland v Ireland, Saturday 29 April, DAM Health Stadium, 7.30pm.

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