McWilliams names 6 uncapped players in squad to face Japan

Ireland Women Head Coach Greg McWilliams is looking at the upcoming contest with Japan as an opportunity to breed some experience within the ranks and has named a total of six uncapped players in the 23 to take on Japan at Ecopa Stadium on Saturday. 

Méabh Deely, Natasja Behan, Aoife Dalton and Dannah O’Brien all start in the back-line, while second row Taryn Schutzler and centre Leah Tarpey take spots on the bench. 

“The players have adapted brilliantly to difficult conditions and it has been a good week of preparation for us,” McWilliams said. 

“It is a hugely exciting time for everyone involved in the programme as we prepare to face Japan in these two summer Tests and for us, it’s all about hard work, development and opportunity. 

“With that in mind, it is exciting to include a number of young players this weekend and we are all looking forward to seeing them pull on the green jersey having worked so hard over the last couple of months. 

“Saturday marks another important staging post on our journey as a group and we will come up against a really strong Japan side who are finalising their preparations for the Rugby World Cup. 

“We will learn and grow through this experience and that is invaluable for us.” 

Player/Club/Province/Caps – 

15. Méabh Deely (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht) *
    14. Natasja Behan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster) * 
    13. Aoife Dalton (Tullamore RFC/Leinster) * 
    12. Enya Breen (TBC/Munster) 14 
    11. Aoife Doyle (Railway Union RFC/Munster) 10 
    10. Dannah O’Brien (Tullow RFC/Leinster) * 
    9. Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union RFC/Leinster) 14 
    1. Linda Djougang (TBC/Leinster) 22 
    2. Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury/Ulster) 11 
    3. Katie O’Dwyer (Railway Union RFC/Leinster) 10 
    4. Nichola Fryday (Exeter Chiefs/Connacht) (capt) 27 
    5. Sam Monaghan (Gloucester-Hartpury/IQ Rugby) 9 
    6. Dorothy Wall (Blackrock College RFC/Munster) 15 
    7. Edel McMahon (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby) 19 
    8. Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster) 12 

Replacements: 

16. 
    Emma Hooban (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster) 11 
17. Chloe Pearse (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) 5
18. Christy Haney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster) 4
19. Taryn Schutzler (Saracens/Ulster) *
    20. Grace Moore (Saracens/IQ Rugby) 3 
    21. Nicole Cronin (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) 20 
20. Leah Tarpey (Tullamore RFC/Leinster) *
    23. Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Railway Union RFC/Leinster) 2 

* Denotes uncapped player