Stacey Flood and Fiona Tuite start for Ireland against Black Ferns

Michael Glennon Michael Glennon | 09-28 16:15

Ireland Women have made two changes to their starting team to take on world champions New Zealand in their WXV1 clash on Monday morning (kick-off 3am Irish time) in Vancouver.

Stacey Flood, a replacement in the win over Australia two weeks ago, starts at full-back for her 12th cap, with Eimear Considine moving to the wing in place of Vicky Elmes Kinlan.

Ulster lock Fiona Tuite is named in the second row in place of Ruth Campbell, who is not in the match-day squad.

Ealing Trailfinders prop Andrea Stock is in line for her debut after being named on the bench in the absence of the injured Christy Haney.

Molly Scuffil-McCabe and Dannah O'Brien are the half-backs, while the centre pairing of Enya Breen and Aoife Dalton is retained.

Fiona Tuite moves up from the bench to win her eighth cap

Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe is on the left wing.

Niamh O’Dowd, Neve Jones and Linda Djougang form the front row, with Tuite, earning a seventh cap, partnering with Dorothy Wall in the second row.

Captain Edel McMahon and Aoife Wafer are the flankers with Brittany Hogan at 8.

Clíodhna Moloney, Siobhán McCarthy, Stock, Grace Moore and Erin King are the forward replacements, while Emily Lane, Eve Higgins and Elmes Kinlan are the back options on the bench.

Bemand said: "We've had a really good training week here in Vancouver, including a valuable hit out against France on Wednesday.

"We’re facing into three matches against the top teams in the world, and New Zealand first up on Sunday present physical and ball movements threats, so the training we’ve done and the intensity of the session against France has let us tune into that.

"In terms of selection, we’ve had some good competition for places in recent weeks which has led to some difficult conversations.

"We’re pleased with how the group are performing, and we feel we’ve got the right blend in our matchday squad for the opening game of the campaign."


Ireland: Stacey Flood; Eimear Considine, Aoife Dalton, Enya Breen, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe; Dannah O’Brien, Molly Scuffil-McCabe; Niamh O’Dowd, Neve Jones, Linda Djougang; Dorothy Wall, Fiona Tuite; Aoife Wafer, Edel McMahon (capt), Brittany Hogan.

Replacements: Clíodhna Moloney, Siobhán McCarthy, Andrea Stock, Grace Moore, Erin King, Emily Lane, Eve Higgins, Vicky Elmes Kinlan.

New Zealand: Renee Holmes; Ruby Tui, Logo-i-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i (Sylvia) Brunt, Amy du Plessis, Katelyn Vahaakolo; Ruahei Demant (co-capt), Maia Joseph; Marcelle Parkes, Atlanta Lolohea, Amy Rule; Chelsea Bremner, Maiakawanakaulani Roos; Layla Sae, Kennedy Tukuafu (co-capt), Liana Mikaele-Tu'u.

Replacements: Luka Connor, Chryss Viliko, Tanya Kalounivale, Alana Bremner, Lucy Jenkins, Iritana Hohaia, Hannah King, Mererangi Paul.

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