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Four Connacht Players In Ireland Squad For Women's Rugby World Cup Opener Against Japan

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Four Connacht Players In Ireland Squad For Women's Rugby World Cup Opener Against Japan

Head Coach Scott Bemand has named his Ireland Match Day Squad for Sunday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 opener against Japan at Franklin’s Gardens (Kick-off 12pm).

Ireland kick off their Pool C campaign against Japan in Northampton, with co-captains Sam Monaghan and Edel McMahon set to lead the side.

Four Connacht players have been named in the Squad. Béibhinn Parsons is named on the wing, Aoibheann Reilly at scrum half and Edel McMahon in the back row.

Anna McGann has been named in the replacements.

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Bemand has named Stacey FloodBéibhinn Parsons and Amee-Leigh Costigan in Ireland’s starting back three, with Eve Higgins partnering Aoife Dalton in midfield. Aoibheann Reilly starts at nine to partner Dannah O’Brien in the half-backs.

In the pack, Niamh O’DowdNeve Jones and Linda Djougang start in the front row, with Ruth Campbell and co-captain Monaghan in the engine room. Fiona Tuite is named at blindside flanker, with McMahon at openside and Brittany Hogan at number eight.

Bemand has strong options among the replacements with forwards Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald, in line for her second Women’s Rugby World Cup in green, Ellena Perry, Sadhbh McGrath, Eimear Corri-Fallon and Grace Moore providing the reinforcements up front, while backs Emily LaneEnya Breen and Anna McGann complete Ireland’s Match Day Squad.

Ireland (v Japan):
15. Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)(20)
14. Béibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)(28)
13. Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(24)
12. Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)(28)
11. Amee-Leigh Costigan (Railway Union RFC/Munster)(19)
10. Dannah O’Brien (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(26)
9. Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)(16)

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1. Niamh O’Dowd (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(17)
2. Neve Jones (Gloucester Hartpury)(37)
3. Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(48)
4. Ruth Campbell (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(8)
5. Sam Monaghan (Gloucester Hartpury/IQ Rugby)(23)(co-captain)
6. Fiona Tuite (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)(17)
7. Edel McMahon (Exeter Chiefs/Connacht)(34)(co-captain)
8. Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)(34)

Replacements:

16. Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs)(45)
17. Ellena Perry (Gloucester Hartpury/IQ Rugby)(1)
18. Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke RFC/Ulster)(16)
19. Eimear Corri-Fallon (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)(6)
20. Grace Moore (Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby)(22)
21. Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)(17)
22. Enya Breen (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)(31)
23. Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC/Connacht)(11).

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