Head Coach Scott Bemand has selected 37 players for a three-day training camp as the Ireland Women’s squad launch their preparations for the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.
Of that 37, five are from Connacht. The uncapped Jemima Adams Verling, formerly of Creggs and now Galwegians, has been included along with Ailish Quinn of Galwegians, Anna McGann of Railway Union and Aoibheann Reilly and Beibhinn Parsons of Ballinasloe and now Blackrock College.
Having missed the Rugby World Cup campaign through injury, there is a welcome return to the Ireland squad for Dorothy Wall and Erin King, while Bemand has included 10 uncapped players for the three-day camp in Dublin.
Along with Verling, Forwards Beth Buttimer, Cara McLean, India Daley, Rosie Searle and Sophie Barrett are all named in the panel, while uncapped backs Alana McInerney, Caitriona Finn, Niamh Gallagher and Robyn O'Connor have all recently impressed in the Celtic Challenge.
Additionally, Alan O'Connor - the former Ulster second row - has joined the Coaching Team of Bemand (Head Coach), James Scaysbrook (Defence Coach), Gareth Steenson (Backs and Kicking Coach) and Denis Fogarty (Scrum Coach) as Forwards Coach ahead of the Guinness Women's Six Nations.
Following their Championship opener against England in London, Ireland will face Italy at Dexcom Stadium in Galway on Saturday, April 18. It will be the first time Ireland have played there since April 2006 when they beat Canada.
Ireland Women’s Training Camp Squad:
Forwards: Ailish Quinn, Aoife Wafer, Beth Buttimer*, Brittany Hogan, Cara McLean*, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Dorothy Wall, Ellena Perry, Erin King, Fiona Tuite, Grace Moore, Jane Clohessy, Jemima Adams Verling*, India Daley*, Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Niamh O’Dowd, Rosie Searle*, Ruth Campbell, Sadhbh McGrath, Sam Monaghan, Sophie Barrett*.
Backs: Alana McInerney*, Anna McGann, Aoibheann Reilly, Aoife Dalton, Beibhinn Parsons, Caitriona Finn*, Dannah O’Brien, Emily Lane, Enya Breen, Eve Higgins, Nancy McGillivray, Niamh Gallagher*, Robyn O’Connor*, Vicky Elmes Kinlan.
* denotes uncapped
