Head coach Tom Tierney has named 5 uncapped players in the Ireland Women's squad for the 2017 Six Nations Championship.
Props Ilse Van Staden (Cooke and Ulster) and Ciara O'Connor (Galwegians and Connacht) will be hoping to win their first Ireland caps
Scrum-half Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union and Leinster), out-half Jemma Jackson (Cooke and Ulster) and wing Eimear Considine (UL Bohemians and Munster) are also in the squad for the first time.
Ireland finished 3rd in last year's Championship, Tom Tierney is hoping they can challenge France for the crown: "It's set to be a busy and exciting year for this team, and it all gets underway next Friday against Scotland.
“While we had some tough games in November, the experience the players gained in those matches will stand to them as we head into the Six Nations Championship.
“There is a good blend of youth and experience in the squad, and having had weekly camps since Christmas, we've been working hard getting our structures in place and making sure everyone knows their job.”
Ireland Women's 2017 Six Nations Squad
Forwards:
Elaine Anthony (Highfield / Munster)
Anna Caplice (UL Bohemians / Munster)
Ciara Cooney (Railway Union / Leinster)
Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere / Leinster)
Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary's College / Leinster)
Orla Fitzsimons (St. Mary's College / Leinster)
Nichola Fryday (Tullamore / Connacht)
Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemians / Munster)
Leah Lyons (Highfield / Munster)
Claire Molloy (Bristol / Connacht)
Cliodhna Moloney (Railway Union / Leinster)
Heather O'Brien (Highfield / Munster)
Ciara O'Connor (Galwegians / Connacht)*
Ruth O'Reilly (Galwegians / Connacht)
Lindsay Peat (Railway Union / Leinster)
Marie-Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere / Leinster)
Ilse Van Staden (Cooke / Ulster)*
Backs:
Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians / Munster) Captain
Eimear Considine (UL Bohemians / Munster)*
Mairead Coyne (Galwegians / Connacht)
Aine Donnelly (Old Belvedere / Leinster)
Mary Healy (Galwegians / Connacht)
Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union / Leinster)*
Jemma Jackson (Cooke / Ulster)*
Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians / Munster)
Claire McLaughlin (Cooke / Ulster)
Alison Miller (Old Belvedere / Connacht)
Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere / Leinster)
Sene Naoupu (Ayslesford Bulls)
Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere / Leinster)
