Seven Irish players named in Barbarians squad for historic women's game with Munster

THE WOMEN’S BARBARIANS have named an experienced squad for their first-ever match later this month.

Baa Baas Barbarians players (l-r) Susie Brown, Claire Cripps and Megan Goddard. barbarianfc.co.uk barbarianfc.co.uk

Seven different nations will be represented in the 23-strong panel — which has over 1,000 international caps in total — when they take on Munster at Thomond Park on Friday, 10 November.

Coached by England World Cup winner Giselle Mather, there are seven Irish players included — Fiona Coghlan, Tania Rosser, Ailis Egan, Maz Reilly, Jackie Shiels, Nora Stapleton and Edel McMahon.

Coghlan (2014) and Rosser (2015) are retired from Ireland duty a couple of years, Shiels last wore the green shirt in 2016, while Reilly, Egan and Stapleton hung up their international boots after this summer’s World Cup.

Galwegians flanker McMahon, meanwhile, is uncapped by Ireland.

“It’s a huge honour for the esteemed and experienced athletes that have been selected to wear the Barbarians shirt for the first time,” said head coach Giselle Mather.

They represent both the journey of the development of women’s rugby and on 10 November will be taking a big step into the future of the game.

“Everyone involved in the management of the team is looking forward to making this a truly memorable Barbarians experience for the players and paving the way for things to come.”

Coghlan tweeted:

This is a serious squad for the historic first @Barbarian_FC women's match v @Munsterrugby https://t.co/If81kVxmSh
— Fiona Coghlan (@CoghlanFiona) November 1, 2017

Fiona Coghlan / Twitter

Forwards

Tracy Balmer (Worcester & Scotland) 43 caps
Susie Brown (Richmond & Scotland) 62 caps
Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians & Ireland) 85 caps
Lenaige Corson (Stade Rennais & France) 24 caps
Claire Cripps (Wasps & England) 43 caps
Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere & Ireland) 46 caps
Becky Essex (Richmond & England) 57 caps
Amy Garnett (Saracens & England 100 caps
Edel McMahon (Galwegians) 0 caps
Marie Riley (Old Belvedere & Ireland) 54 caps
Kelly Russell (Toronto Nomads & Canada) 53 caps
Rachel Taylor (Caernarfon & Wales) 67 caps

Backs

Emma Jensen (College Rifles & New Zealand) 49 caps
Elen Evans (Caernarfon & Wales) 73 caps
Megan Goddard (Gloucester-Hartpury & England) 5 caps
Camille Grassineau (Stade Francais & France) 18 caps
Vicki Jackson (Wasps & England) 2 caps
Christelle LeDuff (SO Villonguet & France) 70 caps
Tania Rosser (Blackrock & Ireland) 58 caps
Georgina Roberts (Darlington MP Sharks & England) 15 caps
Jackie Shiels (Old Belvedere & Ireland) 22 caps
Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere & Ireland) 50 caps
Amanda Thornborough (Westshore & Canada) 23 caps

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