Ireland Women name their side to face Italy

Ireland Women's Head Coach Tom Tierney has made two changes from the side that played Scotland, ahead of their clash with Italy. Elanie Anthony is drafted in from the bench to partner with Marie-Louise Reilly at lock. Meanwhile Hannah Tyrell comes in on the wing, having represented Ireland Women's 7 last weekend.

There are two further changes on the bench as Ciara Cooney and Sophie Spence come in.

Tierney commented on the team saying:
 
"It was a very tough encounter on Friday evening in Glasgow. The Scots really put it up to us, and for the players to get that final score when it really mattered, and to come away with the 5 points from such a tough encounter is very pleasing.
 
We've reviewed the performance against Scotland and the players are aware of the areas that they need to improve on against Italy.
 
The nature of the Six Nations is that there's no easy games, so we'll have to be really focused going into the game this Sunday.”

Starting line-up

1. Lindsay Peat (Railway Union / Leinster)

2. Leah Lyons (Highfield / Munster)
3. Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere / Leinster)
4. Elaine Anthony (Highfield / Munster)
5. Marie-Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere / Leinster)
6. Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemians / Munster)
7. Claire Molloy (Bristol / Connacht)
8. Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary's College / Leinster) Captain
9. Ailsa Hughes – (Railway Union / Leinster)
10. Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere / Leinster)
11. Alison Miller (Old Belvedere / Connacht)
12. Sene Naoupu (Aylesford Bulls)
13. Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere / Leinster)
14. Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians / Munster)
15. Mairead Coyne (Galwegians / Connacht)
 
16. Jennie Finlay (Old Belvedere / Leinster)
17. Ilse Van Staden (Cooke / Ulster)
18. Ciara O Connor (Galwegians / Connacht)
19. Ciara Cooney (Railway Union / Leinster)
20. Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere / Leinster)
21. Mary Healy (Galwegians / Connacht)
22. Claire Mc Laughlin (Cooke / Ulster)
23. Eimear Considine (UL Bohemians / Munster)