Boost for Ireland as co-captain Sam Monaghan returns for Six Nations tie with Italy
Sam Monaghan is back at second row. Photo by Roberto Bregani/Sportsfile.
Head coach Scott Bemand has made four changes and one positional switch to the Ireland team for their first home game of the 2024 Women’s Six Nations against Italy on Sunday.
There are two changes to the backline. Aoife Dalton has been dropped to the bench and is replaced by Enya Breen in the centre. Dannah O’Brien starts at outhalf with Nicole Fowley – who started last weekend’s defeat to France – named on the bench.
As expected, co-captain Sam Monaghan returns to the team after missing the opening game because of a head injury. She partners Dorothy Wall in the second row with Hannah O’Connor dropping out of the 23.
Neve Jones press conference
The other change comes in the backrow where there is no place for co-captain Edel McMahon in the squad – she is replaced by Grace Moore who starts at 6 with Aoife Wafer moving to 7.
Lock Eimear Corri is promoted to the bench.
It will be Enya Breen’s first game for Ireland since she picked up an injury in the opening round of last year’s championship against Wales.
Ireland team (vs Italy): L Delany; K Corrigan, E Higgins, E Breen, B Parsons; D O’Brien, A Reilly; Djougang, N Jones, C Haney, D Wall, S Monaghan (capt); G Moore, A Wafer, B Hogan
Reps: S Delaney, N O’Dowd, S McGrath, F Tuite, E Corri, M Scuffil-McCabe, N Fowley, A Dalton
