Irish re-jig team for Kazakhs game

Ireland coach Philip Doyle has made 10 changes from the side which

shocked champions New Zealand

for Saturday’s Women’s World Cup game against Pool B minnows Kazakhstan.

Grace Davitt, Lynne Cantwell and Tania Rosser remain in the backs with Gillian Bourke and Paula Fitzpatrick retained in the pack.

Victory for Ireland in Marcoussis will guarantee them a semi-final spot.

While the Irish are resting several regulars, they will be expected to win.

Jackie Shiels replaces goal-kicker Niamh Briggs at full-back with Vikki McGinn and Hannah Casey taking the wing berths from Ashleigh Baxter and Alison Miller.

Rosser switches from scrum-half to fly-half in place of Nora Stapleton with Larissa Muldoon occupying the number nine shirt.

Hooker Bourke is joined in the front row by Fiona Hayes and Kerrie Ann Craddock with captain Fiona Coghlan and Ailis Egan dropping to the replacements.

Orla Fitzsimons and Laura Guest take over from Sophie Spence and Marie Louise Reilly in the second row with Siobhan Fleming and Sharon Lynch replacing Claire Molloy and Heather O’Brien in the back row.

Positional changes includes Fitzpatrick’s move from flanker to number eight.

Despite his team’s shock win the Black Ferns, who have won the last four tournaments, Irish coach Doyle is urging caution ahead of Saturday’s game.

“It was one game and we still have a lot of rugby to play,” added Doyle.

“This World Cup is, and always has been about our 26-player squad, and we are in a great position that we can use fresh players to maintain our standards and performances to date.

“Kazakhstan are a hugely physical side and we are not underestimating them, they will not be overcome easily.”

Ireland:


Jackie Shiels; Vikki McGinn, Lynne Cantwell (capt), Grace Davitt, Hannah Casey; Tania Rosser, Larissa Muldoon; Fiona Hayes, Gillian Bourke, Kerrie Ann Craddock; Laura Guest, Orla Fitzsimons; Sharon Lynch, Siobhan Fleming, Paula Fitzpatrick

Replacements:


Fiona Coghlan, Ailis Egan, Sophie Spence, Claire Molloy, Nora Stapleton, Alison Miller, Ashleigh Baxter

Irish re-jig team for Kazakhs game