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The Ireland players after their defeat to England. Billy Stickland/INPHO
november series

Ireland Women hand out 2 debuts for the visit of Canada

Head coach Tom Tierney has shuffled the pack for Saturday’s game in Belfield.

THE IRELAND WOMEN’S team to take on Canada in this weekend’s November Series match has been named.

After losing out to England 12-10 last Sunday, Tom Tierney’s side return the UCD Bowl this Saturday (2pm) and the Ireland head coach has made ten changes in personnel.

Anna Caplice of UL Bohemians comes into the back row to win her first cap, while 21-year-old Nichola Fryday, who plays her club rugby with Tullamore RFC, also makes her international debut in the second row.

“There were lots of positives to take from last Sunday’s game against England,” said Tierney.

“While the result didn’t go in our favour, the players will take a lot from the performance and we will be looking to build on this over the next two week against Canada and New Zealand.

This weekend, Canada will present us with a new and different challenge.

“We know England well from playing them in the Six Nations, but this week’s opposition are less familiar to us.

“They have a very strong rugby programme in Canada and were runners up at the last World Cup, so we will have to play smart rugby against them and stick to our game plan.

We’ve two more new caps this week as well, so we’re looking forward to seeing how Anna and Nichola get on in UCD.”

Ireland (v Canada): 

15. Mairead Coyne (Galwegians / Connacht)
14. Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians / Munster)
13. Nicole Fowley (Galwegians / Connacht)
12. Sene Naoupu (Aylesford Bulls)
11. Alison Miller (Old Belvedere / Connacht)
10. Nikki Caughey (Railway Union / Ulster)
9. Mary Healy (Galwegians / Connacht)

1. Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemians / Munster)
2. Zoe Grattage (Highfield / Munster)
3. Fiona Reidy (UL Bohemians / Munster)
4. Katie Norris (Blackrock College / Leinster)
5. Nichola Fryday (Tullamore RFC / Leinster)
6. Ciara Cooney (Railway Union / Leinster)
7. Anna Caplice (UL Bohemians / Munster)
8. Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary’s / Leinster) (captain)

Replacements:

16. Leah Lyons (Highfield / Munster)
17. Lindsay Peat (Railway Union / Leinster)
18. Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere / Leinster)
19. Elaine Anthony (Highfield / Munster)
20 .Chloe Pearse (UL Bohemians / Munster)
21. Larissa Muldoon (Railway Union)
22. Jackie Shiels (Old Belvedere / Leinster)
23. Claire McLaughlin (Cooke / Ulster)

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